Abstract: An improved auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly for an auto-rack railroad car including a roof having a roof stiffener and a door having a hood. The auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly ties the hood of the door of the auto-rack railroad car to the roof stiffener on the roof of the auto-rack railroad car to reduce relative movement of the hood and the roof stiffener to each other and prevents wear of the shoulder bolt, the hood, and the roof stiffener.

Abstract: A railroad car coupler centering device including in one embodiment a spreader beam mountable to the striker at one end of a railroad car, a right side centering spring rotatably connected to the spreader beam by a hinge, and a left side centering spring rotatably connected to the spreader beam by a hinge. The first or right side centering spring is moveable to and between a coupler engaged position and a coupler disengaged position. In the coupler engaged position, the right side centering spring is positioned to engage the right side of the coupler and to bias the coupler to a central position. In the coupler disengaged position, the right side centering spring allows the coupler to move from the center position to the right. Similarly, the left side centering spring is moveable to and between a coupler engaged position and a coupler disengaged position.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel chock strap retainer that provides that different straps of different dimensions will remain securely affixed to a torque tube of a wheel chock when the chock strap retainer is inserted into the torque tube.

Abstract: A freight railroad car equipped with a plurality of spaced apart reflector apparatus which can be easily and readily installed on the freight railroad car in shorter time periods than the previously known adhesive backed reflective tape. One embodiment of the freight railroad car reflector apparatus includes a mounting member, a reflector material attached to the mounting member and a plurality of fasteners or attachment mechanisms used to attach the mounting member to the freight railroad car.

Abstract: An improved auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly for an auto-rack railroad car including a roof having a roof stiffener and a door having a hood. The auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly ties the hood of the door of the auto-rack railroad car to the roof stiffener on the roof of the auto-rack railroad car to reduce relative movement of the hood and the roof stiffener to each other and prevents wear of the shoulder bolt, the hood, and the roof stiffener.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel chock for a vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which secures a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The vehicle wheel chock is configured to be positioned on a grating adjacent to a tire of the vehicle.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.

Abstract: A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.

Abstract: A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.

Abstract: The present invention reveals an auto rack sidewall panel bumper guard for auto rack railroad cars which eliminates contact between the vehicle door and the sidewall panel even in extreme heat. The bumper guard includes a pair of opposed mounting bases, a pair of extension arms connected to the mounting bases and a contact member connected to the arms opposite the mounting bases. The contact member has a lesser thickness than the arms to absorb the forces of the vehicle door.

Abstract: A portable and collapsible fence that can be conveniently stored and transported in a lightweight carrying case. The fence includes panels having telescopic rail sections and telescopic posts. The middle section of each fence panel includes a series of one-piece double tubes. The use of the double tubes adds structural stability to the fence panels and allows the fence panels to utilize many identical parts, such that the panels can be manufactured efficiently and economically. The fence is also preferably formed of lightweight polymer so that it is resilient and easily transported by hand in a relatively small carrying case provided therefor.

Abstract: A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.

Abstract: A greaseless door lock for doors on railroad cars which eliminates the need to lubricate the door locks. The greaseless door lock includes a C-shaped bracket having a side wall and spaced apart end walls attached to the side wall wherein the end walls include aligned aperatures for slidably receiving a locking pin. The greaseless door lock includes at least one bushing mounted in each aperature to prevent the locking pin from engaging the end walls. Two semi-clyindrical bushings or one cylindrical bushing may be mounted in each aperature.

Abstract: A door stabilizer such as an auto rack car door stabilizer which substantially reduces or eliminates the undesired horizontal or substantially horizontal movement of the door and particularly the movement of the lower end of the door including the guide bracket. This substantially reduces or eliminates the wear on the horizontally disposed bearing member of the lower door tracks on the railroad cars. The door stabilizer generally includes an engaging member connected to a supporting body. The body is adapted to be mounted to the frame of the railroad car adjacent to the door and particularly adjacent to the end guide bracket when the door is in the closed position. The engaging member engages and limits the movement or vibration of the guide bracket thereby reducing or eliminating wear on the bearing member.