Abstract: Subassemblies for railroad tank cars are herein disclosed. In some embodiments, the subassembly includes a center sill including a generally horizontal top member and a pair of upright side plates spaced apart laterally from each other and a head brace having a lower margin welded to the top member of the center sill and an upper margin welded to the head of the tank. Each of the side plates having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, the top surface being planar within a longitudinal central portion and at least a substantial part of a first longitudinal end portion. The bottom surface is planar and parallel to the top surface within the longitudinal central portion and a second longitudinal end portion. At least a substantial part of the bottom surface within the first longitudinal end portion has a shape that includes or approximates one or more radiuses of curvature.

Abstract: Subassemblies for railroad tank cars are herein disclosed. In some embodiments, the subassembly includes a center sill including a generally horizontal top member and a pair of upright side plates spaced apart laterally from each other and a head brace having a lower margin welded to the top member of the center sill and an upper margin welded to the head of the tank. Each of the side plates having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, the top surface being planar within a longitudinal central portion and at least a substantial part of a first longitudinal end portion. The bottom surface is planar and parallel to the top surface within the longitudinal central portion and a second longitudinal end portion. At least a substantial part of the bottom surface within the first longitudinal end portion has a shape that includes or approximates one or more radiuses of curvature.

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 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 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 pressure gauge assembly for use with a railway hopper car is provided. The railway hopper car includes a railcar and a product unloading system that is attached to the railcar. The railcar includes sidewalls, end walls, and at least one bottom wall for defining an interior volume. The product unloading system includes an inlet manifold for channeling pressurized fluid to the interior volume of the railcar, and an outlet manifold for channeling the pressurized fluid to the product unloading system for discharging materials from the railcar. The pressure gauge assembly includes a housing that is attached to the railcar. A first pressure gauge is positioned within the housing. The first pressure gauge is configured to measure a differential pressure between the interior volume of the railcar and the product unloading system.

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.