Abstract: A reversible foot for the lower end of an inclined brace in a railway hopper car is a metal forging arched transversely to fit over a crossridge in the car, to which the foot is fastened. The foot is provided with a central vertical opening extending lengthwise of it for receiving the lower end of a brace inclined at a predetermined angle. The end wall of that opening that will be beside the upper inclined surface of the lower end of the brace is inclined substantially parallel to that surface, but the opposite end wall of the opening is inclined in the opposite direction at a different angle so that it will lie substantially parallel to the upper inclined surface of the lower end of a brace inclined at a different angle than the first-mentioned brace if the foot is reversed to receive such a brace. Whichever brace is used, its lower end is welded to the foot.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a railway hopper car is provided having an enclosed quadrilateral tube as a through sill. The enclosed tube through sill has end portions which are welded to the car end sills at opposite ends of the car. The end sills are integrally attached to the side sills. The end sections also have attached thereto a center plate and a bolster cover plate. The bolster cover plate extends from the center sill to the side sill. At least one bolster web extends vertically from the bolster cover plate to the end sheet of the car. The hopper slope sheets are reinforced by means of generally triangular shaped members attached to the through sill and attached to the hopper slope sheets.

Abstract: An elongated hollow tube extending between the forward and after ends of a hopper trailer serves as a ridge pole for a protective tarpaulin covering a commodity, such as rice or wheat, forming the trailer's cargo.Conduits connected to the ends of the tube extend downwardly below the margin of the tarpaulin so as to conduct atmospheric air into the tube. From the tube the air discharges downwardly through an opening in the tube vertically above the hopper door and thereby equalizes the air pressures on both sides of the tarpaulin as the commodity is withdrawn from the hopper and tends to form a "vacuum" beneath the tarpaulin.

Abstract: Baffles are provided in transportation hoppers to solve the problem of upper bulk lading exerting pressure and causing damage to lower bulk lading in the hopper by reducing load density of the lading. The baffles are preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal. More than one layer of baffles may be provided. Supports for the baffles are preferably fixed to the sides and/or roof of the transportation hopper. The baffles may be provided with openings to facilitate circulation of conditioned air through the hopper. The baffles may be provided with larger openings which facilitate loading the hopper. The baffles also may be provided with doors which facilitate loading the hopper by means of a loading chute. The baffles may be used in a wide variety of transportation hoppers. In a preferred embodiment the transportation hopper is a railway hopper car.