Abstract: According to some embodiments, a modular railcar comprises: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar; an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks. The underframe comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple a modular top container to the underframe. According to some embodiments, a modular top container comprises: a floor panel configured to transport a lading; and a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar. The floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

Abstract: A door assembly for a railcar includes a sliding system and a latching system. The sliding system is operable to slide the door to a side of the entrance of the railcar to provide an opening path to an entrance of the railcar. The sliding system comprises one or more rollers used for sliding the door. The latching system is operable to plug the door to the railcar such that the door moves inward toward the railcar, and unplug the door from the railcar such that the door moves outward from the railcar. The latching system comprises a lever operably coupled with two or more gears. The lever turns a particular number of rotations in a first direction to plug the door to the railcar. The lever turns the particular number of rotations in a second direction to unplug the door from the railcar.

Abstract: A side wall for a railcar includes a plurality of integrated side sheets. Each of the integrated side sheets includes a sheet of metal having a top side edge and a bottom side edge extending from a first end to a second end of the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal further includes a flat area portion extending a first distance from the first end towards the second end between the top side edge and the bottom side edge. The sheet of metal further includes a side post portion adjacent to the flat portion, the side post portion comprising a plurality of bends forming a recess. The plurality of bends forming the recess includes at least a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth bend. Adjacent integrated side sheets may be coupled together to form the side wall.

Abstract: A system for insulating a railcar is disclosed. The system includes a roof, front, back, left, and right side portions. Each portion includes a plurality of insulating panels. The insulating panels are coupled to an inner surface of the railcar. The insulating panels are joined to each other by a plurality of joints. Each insulating panel includes an outer layer with a first material and a first thickness, an insulating layer with a second material and a second thickness, and an inner layer with a third material and a third thickness. Each of the first and the third material comprises a fiberglass reinforced plastic or a vinyl. The second material comprises a foam or a fibrous material. The insulating layer is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The inner layer has one or more spacings to house one or more bars with a fourth material, comprising steel.

Abstract: A modular railcar includes a modular top system that is configured to hold one or more coils of material, and a railcar underframe that supports the modular top system. The modular top system includes a pair of side sills and one or more troughs disposed between the pair of side sills. Each side sill of the pair of side sills extends a longitudinal length of the modular top system. Each trough of the one or more troughs is configured to hold a coil of the one or more coils of material. The underframe includes one or more coupling apparatuses that are configured to detachably engage the modular top system when the modular top system is positioned on top of the underframe.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a modular railcar comprises: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar; an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks. The underframe comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple a modular top container to the underframe. According to some embodiments, a modular top container comprises: a floor panel configured to transport a lading; and a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar. The floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

Abstract: A side wall for a railcar includes a plurality of integrated side sheets. Each of the integrated side sheets includes a sheet of metal having a top side edge and a bottom side edge extending from a first end to a second end of the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal further includes a flat area portion extending a first distance from the first end towards the second end between the top side edge and the bottom side edge. The sheet of metal further includes a side post portion adjacent to the flat portion, the side post portion comprising a plurality of bends forming a recess. The plurality of bends forming the recess includes at least a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth bend. Adjacent integrated side sheets may be coupled together to form the side wall.

Abstract: A labyrinth-guard arrangement for a joint between a compactor wheel and a machine that protects against intrusion of wire wrap into a central cavity of the wheel is disclosed. The labyrinth-guard is formed by a cooperation between a first flange connected to an inner cylindrical portion of the wheel, and a second flange connected to a guard plate. The first and second flanges, along with other surrounding components, cooperate to form the labyrinth-guard.