Abstract: A system for connecting a center sill to a draft sill in a railcar includes a center sill portion that includes a center sill portion top plate, a draft sill portion that includes a draft sill top plate, the draft sill portion having a draft sill cross-section larger than a center sill cross-section of the center sill portion. The system further includes a transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion, the transition portion includes a transition portion top plate, wherein the transition portion top plate is the same plate as at least one of the center sill portion top plate and the draft sill portion top plate. A method for connecting the center sill to the draft sill in a railcar includes forming the transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion.

Abstract: A system for connecting a center sill to a draft sill in a railcar includes a center sill portion that includes a center sill portion top plate, a draft sill portion that includes a draft sill top plate, the draft sill portion having a draft sill cross-section larger than a center sill cross-section of the center sill portion. The system further includes a transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion, the transition portion includes a transition portion top plate, wherein the transition portion top plate is the same plate as at least one of the center sill portion top plate and the draft sill portion top plate. A method for connecting the center sill to the draft sill in a railcar includes forming the transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an articulated railcar comprises a first railcar and a second railcar coupled via an articulated railcar truck. The first railcar and the second railcar each comprise a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a housing with a chamber formed within a bore of the housing. The assembly further includes a tapered center shaft disposed at least partially within the bore of the housing. The chamber includes an angled contact surface, a sliding wedge, and a load spring. The sliding wedge is positioned to apply a force onto the angled contact surface of the chamber. The sliding wedge is also positioned to apply a frictional force to a rod portion of the tapered center shaft. The load spring is compressed between a contact surface of the chamber and a contact surface of the sliding wedge. The load spring is positioned to apply a compressive force onto the contact surface of sliding wedge toward the angled contact surface of the chamber.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a housing with a chamber formed within a bore of the housing. The assembly further includes a center shaft disposed at least partially within the bore of the housing. The chamber includes a backing wedge, a sliding wedge, and a load spring. The sliding wedge is positioned to apply a force onto an angled contact surface of the backing wedge. The sliding wedge is also positioned to apply a frictional force to a rod portion of the center shaft. The load spring is compressed between a contact surface of the chamber and a contact surface of the sliding wedge. The load spring is positioned to apply a compressive force onto the contact surface of sliding wedge toward the angled contact surface of the backing wedge.

Abstract: A system for connecting a center sill to a draft sill in a railcar includes a center sill portion that includes a center sill portion top plate, a draft sill portion that includes a draft sill top plate, the draft sill portion having a draft sill cross-section larger than a center sill cross-section of the center sill portion. The system further includes a transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion, the transition portion includes a transition portion top plate, wherein the transition portion top plate is the same plate as at least one of the center sill portion top plate and the draft sill portion top plate. A method for connecting the center sill to the draft sill in a railcar includes forming the transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an articulated railcar comprises a first railcar and a second railcar coupled via an articulated railcar truck. The first railcar and the second railcar each comprise a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

Abstract: A metal cover plate includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first end and an outer perimeter. The outer perimeter includes a termination end. The termination end is generally opposite the first end. The first section defines a hole. The second section includes a first end and an outer perimeter. The second section is coupled at the first end of the second section to the first end of the first section and extends from the first end of the first section in a direction generally opposite the termination end of the first section. The metal cover plate is welded to a railcar along the outer perimeter of the first section and the outer perimeter of the second section.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a housing with a chamber formed within a bore of the housing. The assembly further includes a tapered center shaft disposed at least partially within the bore of the housing. The chamber includes an angled contact surface, a sliding wedge, and a load spring. The sliding wedge is positioned to apply a force onto the angled contact surface of the chamber. The sliding wedge is also positioned to apply a frictional force to a rod portion of the tapered center shaft. The load spring is compressed between a contact surface of the chamber and a contact surface of the sliding wedge. The load spring is positioned to apply a compressive force onto the contact surface of sliding wedge toward the angled contact surface of the chamber.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame, a braking material and a guide material. The frame includes a braking portion and a guide portion. The braking portion extends generally circumferentially around a surface of a wheel. The guide portion is coupled to the braking portion. A first part of the guide portion extends from the braking portion proximate to a first end of the braking portion over a portion of the wheel. The braking material is coupled to the braking portion of the frame. The braking material provides frictional force opposing rotational movement of a wheel when a force is applied between the braking material and the wheel. The guide material is couple to the guide portion of the frame. The guide material is coupled to the guide portion of the frame.

Abstract: A system includes a first frame and a second frame extending along a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction. The first frame and the second frame define a plurality of first holes and a plurality of second holes. The axial axes of the first holes and the second hoes are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The system further includes two or more layers of material positioned between the first frame and the second frame. The system further includes a plurality of rods inserted within the first holes and a driver that forces a portion of each of the plurality of rods through the two or more layers of material into the second holes.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an underframe, a pair of sidewall assemblies, a pair of end wall assemblies, and one hopper bay formed between the pair of sidewall assemblies and the pair of end wall assemblies. The one hopper bay includes a longitudinal discharge opening extending the length of the hopper bay. The one hopper bay may extend the length of the railcar. The railcar may further comprise one or more longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper bay and configured to cover the longitudinal discharge opening. The one or more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a housing with a chamber formed within a bore of the housing. The assembly further includes a center shaft disposed at least partially within the bore of the housing. The chamber includes a backing wedge, a sliding wedge, and a load spring. The sliding wedge is positioned to apply a force onto an angled contact surface of the backing wedge. The sliding wedge is also positioned to apply a frictional force to a rod portion of the center shaft. The load spring is compressed between a contact surface of the chamber and a contact surface of the sliding wedge. The load spring is positioned to apply a compressive force onto the contact surface of sliding wedge toward the angled contact surface of the backing wedge.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar with a pair of sidewall assemblies and a hopper comprises a plurality of transverse discharge openings. The railcar comprises a sliding gate assembly coupled to the hopper to control the discharge flow of lading. The sliding gate assembly comprises a support frame coupled to the hopper proximate the transverse discharge openings. The support frame extends longitudinally along the sidewall assemblies. The sliding gate assembly further comprises a plurality of discharge gates slidably coupled to the support frame; and a gate actuator operable to slide the plurality of discharge gates between a closed position, where each discharge gate is disposed adjacent to each of the discharge openings to restrict the discharge flow of lading, and an open position, where each discharge gate is disposed between discharge openings to permit the discharge flow of lading.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of improving weld fatigue performance in a railcar weld comprises identifying a railcar weld subject to dynamic loads; determining the railcar weld is prone to fatigue; applying an impact treatment to the railcar weld using transducer coupled to one or more pins, wherein the one or more pins are configured to contact the railcar weld without interference from other portions of the railcar. According to some embodiments, an impact treatment device for a railcar comprises a transducer coupled to one or more pins for imparting an impact to a railcar weld. The transducer and the one or more pins are configured to put the one or more pins in contact with the railcar weld without interference from other portions of the railcar. The transducer comprises one of an ultrasonic transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, or a pneumatic transducer.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

Abstract: A draft sill with special rear draft lug for a railcar is disclosed. In some embodiments, a rear draft lug comprises a metallic body. The rear draft lug further comprises a boss extending along a transverse portion of the metallic body. The boss is configured to be coupled to a first vertical reinforcement plate. The rear draft lug also comprises an overhang portion extending from the boss along the transverse portion. The overhang portion configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate. In some embodiments, the boss and the overhang portion are configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate with a weld.