Abstract: A railcar system including a railcar having a longitudinal axis and a movable cover. The movable cover including a plurality of linear bearing devices and at least one slidable hatch connected to the plurality of linear bearing devices. The slidable hatch being movable substantially normal to the longitudinal axis. The linear bearing devices each including a shaped bar and a low friction bearing having a hole therethrough. The slidable hatch has two opposite sides that define a width of the slidable hatch, the shaped bar extending substantially the full width of the slidable hatch. The shaped bar being attached to the two opposite sides of the slidable hatch. The hole through the low friction bearing being shaped to accommodate the shaped bar.

Abstract: A railcar hatch cover latching system including a sliding mechanism attached to a movable portion of the hatch cover and a latching apparatus associated with the hatch cover. The latching apparatus has a biased assembly, a bar and at least one profiled stop. The bar extends through the biased assembly. The biased assembly is configured to allow the bar to pass through the biased assembly with a first force requirement. The at least one profiled stop is positioned on the bar to encounter the biased assembly and having a second force requirement to move the bar past the at least one profiled stop, the second force being greater than the first force.

Abstract: A cover opening and closing system for use with a railcar. The railcar has a longitudinal axis, a top opening and at least one movable cover configured to cover the opening. The cover opening and closing system includes at least one structural support coupled generally to the ground and at least one of an opening device and a closing device. The opening device and closing device are coupled to said at least one structural support. The at least one of an opening device and a closing device are configured to contact a portion of the at least one movable cover and to cause the movable cover to move as the railcar moves in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A railcar hatch cover latching system including a sliding mechanism attached to a movable portion of the hatch cover and a latching apparatus associated with the hatch cover. The latching apparatus has a biased assembly, a bar and at least one profiled stop. The bar extends through the biased assembly. The biased assembly is configured to allow the bar to pass through the biased assembly with a first force requirement. The at least one profiled stop is positioned on the bar to encounter the biased assembly and having a second force requirement to move the bar past the at least one profiled stop, the second force being greater than the first force.

Abstract: A railcar system including a railcar having a longitudinal axis and a movable cover. The movable cover including a plurality of linear bearing devices and at least one slidable hatch connected to the plurality of linear bearing devices. The slidable hatch being movable substantially normal to the longitudinal axis. The linear bearing devices each including a shaped bar and a low friction bearing having a hole therethrough. The slidable hatch has two opposite sides that define a width of the slidable hatch, the shaped bar extending substantially the full width of the slidable hatch. The shaped bar being attached to the two opposite sides of the slidable hatch. The hole through the low friction bearing being shaped to accommodate the shaped bar.

Abstract: A railcar having a longitudinal axis and a movable cover. The movable cover includes a plurality of linear bearing devices and at least one slideable hatch connected to the plurality of linear bearing devices. The slideable hatch is movable substantially normal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cover opening and closing system for use with a railcar. The railcar has a longitudinal axis, a top opening and at least one movable cover configured to cover the opening. The cover opening and closing system includes at least one structural support coupled generally to the ground and at least one of an opening device and a closing device. The opening device and closing device are coupled to said at least one structural support. The at least one of an opening device and a closing device are configured to contact a portion of the at least one movable cover and to cause the movable cover to move as the railcar moves in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A railcar having a longitudinal axis and a movable cover. The movable cover includes a plurality of linear bearing devices and at least one slideable hatch connected to the plurality of linear bearing devices. The slideable hatch is movable substantially normal to the longitudinal axis.