Abstract: A door operating assembly for a railcar includes an actuating device. The railcar includes a railcar container and a lower portion coupled to the railcar container. The railcar container includes two opposing sidewalls and at least one door coupled to the lower portion. The railcar defines a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The door operating assembly also includes at least one door operating mechanism coupled to the actuating device. At least a portion of the at least one door operating mechanism extends longitudinally along one sidewall of the two opposing sidewalls. The door operating assembly further includes at least one axial drive member coupled to the at least one door operating mechanism. The door operating assembly also includes at least one door drive assembly coupled to the at least one axial drive member. The at least one door drive assembly is coupled to the at least one door.

Abstract: A railcar door sealing assembly includes a first door seal member coupled to a first door plate of a first door of the railcar. The door sealing assembly also includes a second door seal member coupled to a second door plate of a second door of the railcar. The first door seal member at least partially overlaps with the second door seal member in a face-to-face relationship when the first door and the second door are in the closed position.

Abstract: A valve interlock system for a railcar including a valve stem locking subsystem that includes a coupling device rotatably coupled to the valve stem. The coupling device is substantially stationary in the longitudinal direction and rotatably translatable about a longitudinal axis and defines an engagement slot thereon. The subsystem also includes a stationary support member extending toward the coupling device in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and includes a locking member that is transversely translatable and complimentary with the engagement slot. The subsystem also includes a biasing device coupled to the locking member that increases an engagement bias as the locking member is transversely translated away from the engagement slot. The subsystem further includes a valve operator assembly that includes a longitudinally and rotatably translatable body configured to regulate the slot engagement bias as a function of a longitudinal position of the body.

Abstract: A door operating assembly for a railcar includes an actuating device. The railcar includes a railcar container and a lower portion coupled to the railcar container. The railcar container includes two opposing sidewalls and at least one door coupled to the lower portion. The railcar defines a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The door operating assembly also includes at least one door operating mechanism coupled to the actuating device. At least a portion of the at least one door operating mechanism extends longitudinally along one sidewall of the two opposing sidewalls. The door operating assembly further includes at least one axial drive member coupled to the at least one door operating mechanism. The door operating assembly also includes at least one door drive assembly coupled to the at least one axial drive member. The at least one door drive assembly is coupled to the at least one door.

Abstract: A railcar door sealing assembly includes a first door seal member coupled to a first door plate of a first door of the railcar. The door sealing assembly also includes a second door seal member coupled to a second door plate of a second door of the railcar. The first door seal member at least partially overlaps with the second door seal member in a face-to-face relationship when the first door and the second door are in the closed position.

Abstract: A valve interlock system for a railcar including a valve stem locking subsystem that includes a coupling device rotatably coupled to the valve stem. The coupling device is substantially stationary in the longitudinal direction and rotatably translatable about a longitudinal axis and defines an engagement slot thereon. The subsystem also includes a stationary support member extending toward the coupling device in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and includes a locking member that is transversely translatable and complimentary with the engagement slot. The subsystem also includes a biasing device coupled to the locking member that increases an engagement bias as the locking member is transversely translated away from the engagement slot. The subsystem further includes a valve operator assembly that includes a longitudinally and rotatably translatable body configured to regulate the slot engagement bias as a function of a longitudinal position of the body.

Abstract: A railway hopper car is provided. The railway hopper car includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes first and second sidewalls, and first and second end walls. The lower portion includes at least two cargo wells and a longitudinal boundary extending between the cargo wells. The upper and lower portions define an interior volume of the hopper car. The railway hopper car further includes a roof panel and a first support assembly. The roof panel includes an access opening extending longitudinally over at least a portion of the cargo wells. The first support assembly is coupled to an inner surface of the first sidewall, and extends between a top edge and a bottom edge of the first sidewall. The first support assembly is positioned proximate to the longitudinal boundary, and is configured to only partially extend into the interior volume of the hopper car.

Abstract: A railway hopper car is provided. The railway hopper car includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes first and second sidewalls, and first and second end walls. The lower portion includes at least two cargo wells and a longitudinal boundary extending between the cargo wells. The upper and lower portions define an interior volume of the hopper car. The railway hopper car further includes a roof panel and a first support assembly. The roof panel includes an access opening extending longitudinally over at least a portion of the cargo wells. The first support assembly is coupled to an inner surface of the first sidewall, and extends between a top edge and a bottom edge of the first sidewall. The first support assembly is positioned proximate to the longitudinal boundary, and is configured to only partially extend into the interior volume of the hopper car.

Abstract: A sliding gate type gravity outlet (10) is for use on railcars (C) for discharging a lading. A pan assembly (12) defines an outlet pan (14) having a flange (18) attached to the discharge opening and sidewalls (20) sloping downwardly from the flange. A bottom portion of the sidewalls defines a discharge outlet (22) into which lading flows. An outlet gate (24) is movable relative to the opening to open and close the outlet. Lading to be discharged bears upon the gate when it is in its closed position. A rack and pinion gear arrangement (36) is used to move the gate back and forth between these positions, and a rod (62) guides movement of the gate. The gate sealingly abuts against a seal (32) when the gate is closed to prevent loss of lading. The guide mechanism sits at an angle (X1) with respect to the outlet, and the gate is set at a second and greater angle (X2) with respect thereto. As the gate moves from its closed to its open position, it is drawn away from the seal and does not slide over it.

Abstract: A limp, porous membrane (18) is formed from a flexible sheet material (20). The membrane is used with a fluidized hopper outlet (10) containing a pulverant, particulate lading which is fluidized and unloaded via the outlet. A valve installed in the outlet, when open, extends substantially through the outlet and allows fluidized lading to be unloaded through the outlet. The outlet has a frame (12) for securing the outlet to the hopper, an outlet opening (14) in which the valve is positioned, and intersecting outlet walls (16) extending between the frame and the opening. An outer margin (54) of the membrane is secured to the frame. An inner margin (18) of the membrane, which defines an opening for the lading, is attached to a boot (36). The boot is secured to the top of an outlet pan (P), adjacent the outlet opening, by a retainer ring (50). The ring locks the boot in place so the opening in membrane is secured adjacent to the outlet opening for the lading to flow into the outlet through the valve.