Abstract: A finger core for forming the front part of a knuckle for a railcar, said finger core comprising a single opening to form a single rib at the horizontal center line of the resulting knuckle.

Abstract: A floor tie-down anchor for securing freight during transport is provided. The tie-down anchor is an L-shaped bracket having a pair of legs that form an angle relative to each other, and one of the legs has at least one aperture defined therethrough. A system and method for securing freight to a transport vehicle are also provided. The system includes a first tie-down anchor and a second tie-down anchor attached to the floor of a transport vehicle, and each of the tie-down anchors has at least one aperture defined therethrough. The system further including a retaining strap having a connecting mechanism attached to each end of the strap, and the apertures of the tie-down anchors are adapted to receive the connecting mechanisms of the strap. The method of securing freight to a transport vehicle includes providing a floor. First and second tie-down anchors are attached to the floor, and each of the tie-down anchors has at least two apertures of different shapes defined therethrough.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an enclosed railcar comprising the steps of providing a railcar, the railcar having at least a car deck, two side sills and two end sills, attaching a superstructure enclosure having at least one width extending bottom side chord along the two side sills of the railcar, wherein the superstructure is wider than the width of the railcar, and attaching a plurality of gussets to a side sill and an underside of at least one width extending bottom side chord.

Abstract: A multi-fold door for an enclosed railcar comprising a first panel, a second panel and a third panel is disclosed. The first panel is pivotally attached to the second panel at an edge of each panel and the third panel is pivotally attached to the second panel at an edge of each panel. A posterior edge of the first panel is attached to a corner post of an end of the enclosed railcar by hinges that are positioned externally to the enclosed railcar.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railcar having an enclosing superstructure which is capable of accommodating large vehicles such as semi-trucks is disclosed. The method includes the preparation of a previously used railcar or a railcar originally manufactured for another purpose and the subsequent attachment of a preferably widened superstructure applied thereto. Usable space and dimensions within the superstructure enclosure are maximized by the use of shallow weight bearing side structures, large top chords, stabilizing door headers, an extension of the railcar deck and thin end doors. Railcar accessories are accommodated within the interior of the superstructure such that minimal useful space is used.

Abstract: An improved drawbar connection for railroad cars reduces slack between cars and results in improved train handling. The drawbar connection fits in a standard draft gear pocket and utilizes a standard yoke, standard follower and standard coupler pin, thereby permitting the application of drawbars with minimal structural modification to cars originally equipped with conventional couplers. The usual draft gear is replaced by a filler which is relatively rigid. The filler includes a follower block, a wedge, a filler block and may include a mini-draft gear having a maximum travel of about one-half inch.

Abstract: An articulated railroad flat car for single-level loading of containers has five units or platforms. End trucks are disposed at the ends of the two end units and four shared trucks are disposed intermediate the five units at articulated connections between the units. Each unit has a center sill with bolsters at either end mounting outer container retention devices. Alternate units further include intermediate cross-bearers, with intermediate container retention devices mounted on the cross-bearer. This arrangement allows loading of full length containers (40, 45 or 48 feet in length) on each unit and either full length or 20 foot containers on alternative units. A container floor safety system includes a plurality of cross-ties connected to the center sill with longitudinal stringers fastened to the outer ends of the cross-ties. The container floor safety system prevents container lading from falling to the track in the event of a container floor failure.

Abstract: A railroad car for carrying containers has a car body mounted on trucks. The car body includes two side sills connected to two end frames. The side sills and end frames define an open well which is adapted for receiving a container. The floor of the well is defined by a container support frame assembly which is hung from the side sills by four hanger straps. The container support frame assembly includes two transverse support beams. The hanger straps are pivotally connected by transverse pins to the side sills and the transverse support beams such that the hanger straps are stressed primarily in tension only and they transfer tensile loads but not bending loads to the side sills.

Abstract: A railroad car coupler arrangement which limits the lateral movement of square butt couplers to prevent excess longitudinal misalignment, particularly on railroad cars having single axle trucks. The coupler includes a head and shank which fit into a coupler pocket. An end wall of the shank engages a follower plate which is in contact with a draft gear cushioning device. The shank end wall has a vertically-extending recess and the follower plate has a cooperating, vertically-extending projection which interfits with the recess to limit lateral movement of the coupler shank relative to the coupler pocket transversely of the longitudinal centerline of the car.

Abstract: A railroad car coupler arrangement particularly suited to cars with single axle trucks including means defining a coupler pocket, a coupler head with a coupler shank and a butt end, a draft gear cushioning device in the pocket with a follower plate captured against transverse movement. The butt end and follower plate include interengaged means to restrain the butt end against transverse movement.

Abstract: A railroad flatcar including an elongated center sill having undercarriage frames secured thereto at opposite ends thereof is disclosed. A single axle wheel truck is fixed to each undercarriage frame and suspends the car. Axle guard plate is provided to limit movement of the car laterally of the wheel trucks and to provide a restoring force to the car.

Abstract: A single axle railroad wheel truck is disclosed having two wheels joined by a single axle. A frame supported on the wheels and axle defines four spaced apart hanger flanges. A pair of cross members parallel to the axle for supporting a railroad car body are supported on pairs of hanger members directly connected between a pair of said hanger flanges and each one of the cross members. Springs are disposed upon the cross members for supporting a car body thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated rail car for transporting two large wheeled vehicular truck trailers in "piggyback" fashion. The articulated rail car comprises two separate car bodies each supported by single axle railroad wheel truck assemblies mounted at each end of each body. A semi-permanent coupling joins the two car bodies so that the car can articulate around curves and bends in the railroad track. Utilization of the single axle trucks permits the rail car to maintain the normal number of axles (four) for rail cars even though the car is articulated in the center. The car bodies comprise a central spine extending upwardly along the length of the car for providing vertical strength. A tire support surface extends outwardly from each side of the central spine below the level of the central spine so that the vertical height of the wheel vehicular trailers transported by the articulated rail car is reduced allowing easier passage under structures and through tunnels.