Abstract: An improved pneumatic outlet (10) is for use on a railcar (C) for discharging a lading from a hopper (H) of the railcar. The outlet comprises an integrally formed bottom cover (12) extending the length of the outlet. A pair of outlet valves (50A, 50B) are installed in the cover. The valves are mounted on respective valve shafts (54A, 54B) and are installed in the cover in a diagonal arrangement. Accordingly, each valve allows discharge of lading from one side of the hopper. A bulkhead (40) is also installable in the cover and supports an inner end of the respective valve shafts. The cover is severable into two sections (36A, 36B). One of the sections is reversible with respect to the other section. Thereafter, the two sections are joined together to form a unified cover through which lading flows during discharge. The bulkhead fits within the reunified cover such that no gaps or other deformities are present which would collect material that may contaminate a lading.

Abstract: An improved railway car underbody support structure and method for economically constructing same. The structure includes a center sill assembly having a pair of vertically disposed side plates spaced equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the car body and extending from a coupler longitudinally inboard to a wheeled truck assembly. The truck assembly carries two laterally spaced side bearing members for bearing the load of the car body during lateral tilting of the car body. One of the improved features is a unitary metal member cut from an economically patterned metal plate. The unitary members, which are themselves free of any weld lines which may crack under the extreme loads exerted on railway cars, are welded to the underside edge of a respective side plate and welded together beneath the center line of the car body.

Abstract: A hatch cover assembly includes a vent passageway through a hatch cover for venting the interior of a railroad hopper car, or the like, to the environment. The hatch cover is held in closed position by a locking strap, and the vent passageway is located directly beneath the locking strap to help prevent rain and other environmental contaminants from passing through the vent passageway. An inexpensive baffle assembly is releasably clipped into the vent passageway beneath the locking strap and is comprised of a two piece molded plastic structure with a mesh screen held therebetween to further protect the vent passageway from contaminants.

Abstract: A center stub sill railway tank car is disclosed having a generally cylindric, elongate tank. A center stub sill assembly is secured to the lower portion of the tank at each end thereof for transferring longitudinal train and lading loads between the tank and the center stub sill assembly. A bolster assembly is secured to the center stub sill and extends transversely of the car. An improved cradle assembly is secured to the lower end portion of the tank for reinforcing the tank bottom in the area of the center stub sill, the cradle assembly having an arcuate cradle extending at least in part circumferentially upwardly from the bottom centerline of the tank generally at the longitudinal position of the bolster assembly, and an upwardly facing hat section elongate cradle secured to the bottom end of the tank and extending inboard from the cradle.