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 spaced “rail pairs.” The use of the rail pairs 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: 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: An auto rack sidewall bumper guard device for auto rack railroad cars eliminates contact between a vehicle door and the sidewalls. The bumper guard device includes a mounting plate and a plurality of horizontally extending vertically spaced-apart relatively low profile bumpers extending from the mounting plate. The mounting plate is adapted to cover the sidewall panel and part of each adjacent vertical posts to prevent the vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels and vertical posts.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a lubricant-free door lock for railroad cars and particularly auto rack railroad cars, which eliminates the need to use grease or other lubricants to lubricate the door locks. The lubricant-free door lock generally includes a stainless steel cylindrical tube or housing and a cylindrical replaceable plastic bushing mounted in the housing the prevent the steel-on-steel contact between a locking pin and the inner walls of the housing. A washer or plate connected to the bottom end of the housing maintains the bushing in the housing. The door lock also includes a spring mounted in the housing between the bushing and an end cap positioned over the locking pin. A stop extends transversely through the housing, end cap and locking pin to limit the movement of the locking pin. The bushing eliminates the need for a lubricant between the steel locking pin and the steel inner walls of the housing.

Abstract: A vent-on-demand hatch cover for closing a hatch opening of a compartment in a railcar, and particularly a hopper car, wherein the car is provided with a coaming that defines the opening. The cover includes a peripheral opening for taking in the outside air and which is disposed adjacent the outer side of the coaming and an inside opening at the underside of the cover exposed to the compartment for connecting the cover to the compartment air. Passageways are provided between the two openings in order to allow air flow between the outside of the car and the inside of the car. A closure member is provided at the inside opening of the cover which is resiliently biased normally into closed position and which opens upon the formation of a vacuum within the compartment in order to allow unloading of the compartment.

Abstract: An improved guide bracket for doors on railroad cars which reduces or eliminates wear of the guide bracket and the guide member of the lower door track of the railroad car. The improved guide bracket includes a J-shaped plate and a tubular plastic wear collar or member mounted on the plate. The wear collar engages the inner surface of the guide member of the lower door track and prevents wear of the guide member when the door moves or vibrates. When worn, the wear collar may be separately replaced without replacing the entire J-plate and or track.

Abstract: A sealing device for a hatch cover closing a hatch on a railcar, wherein the hatch cover includes a pocket for receiving a gasket, and the pocket includes projections mating with recesses on the gasket or projections on the gasket mating with recesses in the pocket for removably retaining the gasket in the pocket.

Abstract: A grating lift pad for mounting on the free end or edge of a grating section on the floor of an auto rack railroad car which lifts the grating section off the floor to reduce wear and rusting of the floor caused by movement and vibration of the grating during train movement.

Abstract: A vented hatch cover assembly for a railroad hopper car including top and bottom members having substantially rigid and somewhat dome-shaped bodies which are divided into four quadrants wherein each quadrant includes coacting baffle members extending from the bodies of the top and bottom members which define a plurality of circuitous air passageways to allow air flow into and out of the hopper car while restricting moisture and other contaminants from entering the car. An improved hatch cover lock mechanism for securing a vented or non-vented cover to the hatch is easily adjustable to provide a tight seal between the cover and hatch, and provides a safe controlled opening of a non-vented cover. An improved seal or gasket is arranged between the cover and hatch.

Abstract: A device for closing the gap between adjacent sidewall panels in an auto rack railroad car in the form of a generally H-shaped elongated plastic member grippingly engaging the panels and closing the gap to prevent the movement of air and precipitation through the gap. The device may be made as a one-piece or two-piece unit.

Abstract: A hole covering device attached to the sidewall panels or screens in an auto rack car to prevent the direct passage of air and air-carried contaminants into the auto rack car through the multiplicity of holes in the screens to prevent damage to the finishes of newly manufactured vehicles being transported. The hole covering device includes a non-opaque plastic covering panel which is sized and adapted to be mounted on the interior surface of the screen by a plurality of button fasteners to cover a significant number of the holes in the screen. The covering panel permits light into the car through the covering panel and does not significantly inhibit the ventilation of the vehicle exhaust gases during loading and unloading of the vehicles.