Abstract: To adequately maintain recyclability of a railcar bodyshell while improving the appearance, manufacturing accuracy, and producibility of the railcar bodyshell. A railcar bodyshell includes: a metal side outside plate 2 having openings 2b to 2d; a plurality of metal horizontal frame members 3 joined to an inner surface of the side outside plate 2 and extending in a railcar front-rear direction; a plurality of metal vertical frame members 4 joined to the inner surface of the side outside plate 2 and extending in a railcar upper-lower direction; and carbon fiber reinforced resin members 5A to 5D each joined to a predetermined portion on the inner surface of the side outside plate 2, the predetermined portion including a corner portion of each of peripheral portions 2f to 2h respectively defining openings 2b to 2d or a part of a portion between the vertical frame members 4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a joint for transferring load from the underframe of a locomotive to the cant rail of its car body. The joint includes a base connected to the underframe of the locomotive with a body portion attached thereto. This body portion carries a generally diagonally situated member connected to the cant rail of the car body of the locomotive, such that the load from the underframe is transferred to the base of the joint, through the body portion of the joint, to the diagonally situated member and to the cant rail during bending of the underframe of the locomotive. In another aspect of the present invention, a joint is provided which is generally flexible to accommodate bending of the car body and underframe of the locomotive relative to their respective stiffnesses.

Abstract: A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.

Abstract: A body structure for rolling stock is disclosed. The body structure may include an outside sheathing of a side construction, and a plurality of reinforcement members joined to said outside sheathing interiorly of said outside sheathing. Each of said plurality of reinforcement members may include a U-shaped part which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section and two fitting flange parts extending continuously from end edges of the U-shaped part in opposite directions. The fitting flange parts may be joined to said outside sheathing by laser welding, and the U-shaped part of at least one of said plurality of reinforcement members may be smaller in width than the U-shaped part of another of said plurality of reinforcement members provided on another part of said outside sheathing.

Abstract: A lateral face of a rail vehicle body is provided including a framework which is formed by an assembly of a plurality of adjacent panels and an outer skin which is adhesively-bonded to the framework and which extends over at least two adjacent panels, the assembly of panels and the skin forming a laminated assembly, each panel including ribs which are arranged so as to ensure the vertical rigidity and the horizontal rigidity of the lateral face. The outer skin extends over the entire length of the lateral face.

Abstract: An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and upper deck. It is provided with a door for controlling access thereto. The door is a radial arm door, and has a ladder mounted thereon by which personnel can ascend the second deck when the door is open. A second ladder is mounted to the first deck so that when the door is open the second ladder is positioned to co-operate with the first ladder. The arcuate path of the door is free from overhanging obstructions. The door also has internal and external weld-free stiffeners member for enhancing the rigidity thereof. A roller mounted to the door permits the door to be moved between open and closed positions. The door may further include a lock. A guide member protruding from the door co-operates with a groove in the main deck which slidingly guides the door as it moves between open and closed positions to control access to the car.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock absorber (100), in particular for use as an additional irreversible shock-absorbing stage together with a component for transferring force. In order to achieve the reliable dissipating of high impact energies, a shock absorber (100) comprising the following is indicated in accordance with the invention: a base plate (1); a force-transferring element (3) having a tensioning element (4); an energy-absorbing element in the form of a deformation tube (5) which is connected by a first end section to the base plate (1); and a connecting element (6) for the disengageable connecting of the force-transferring element (3) to a second end section of the deformation tube (5), wherein the connecting element (6) is pressed against the tensioning element (4) such that the deformation tube (5) is braced between the tensioning element (4) and the base plate (1) without play.

Abstract: A body frame structure having practically sufficient strength is provided. The body frame structure has a simple structure that can be obtained by simple joining operation. Vertically and horizontally arranged first and second frame members are weld-joined to an outer panel with an end portion of the second frame member facing a side surface of the first frame member. The first frame member is placed in a straddling manner on the outer panel and the end portion of the second frame member weld-joined to the outer panel and is weld-joined to both the second frame member and the outer panel. In this manner, even when the vertically and horizontally arranged first and second frame members are laser-welded to the outer panel, the joint strength can be improved without using a joint plate.

Abstract: To join vertically and horizontally arranged frame members to the interior face of an outer panel, the horizontal frame members are disposed on the outer panel so as to take precedence over the vertical frame members and are weld-joined to the outer panel. The vertical frame members are placed on the horizontal frame members from the interior side and are weld-joined to the horizontal frame members. The vertical frame member includes a standard-width frame member and a wide-width frame member having a width greater than the width of the standard-width frame member. The vertical frame members are joined to and in contact with the outer panel at a reduced number points, so that the appearance of the outer panel is maintained in a good condition. With this configuration, a low cost vertical and horizontal frame structure is achieved, which has sufficiently high joint strength that provides the required strength of the outer panel.

Abstract: A rail car collision system is disclosed that includes a front face and an underframe having a first anticlimber. The first anticlimber protrudes from and extends across at least a portion of the front face at a first position. At least one second anticlimber extends along at least a portion of the front face at a second position that is vertically different than the first position.

Abstract: A weld-joining structure between an outer panel and an attachment is achieved, which is advantageous in terms of appearance, workability, and cost. To weld-join the outer panel and the attachments including, such as frame members and opening frames and opening frame members, which is a reinforcement or an interior or exterior member for use in the outer panel, the outer panel and the attachment placed on the outer panel are weld-joined by laser welding at overlapping portions of the outer panel and the attachment. The laser welding is performed along a polishing mark formed in one direction on an externally exposed-side surface of the outer panel and the attachment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a joint for transferring load from the underframe of a locomotive to the cant rail of its car body. The joint includes a base connected to the underframe of the locomotive with a body portion attached thereto. This body portion carries a generally diagonally situated member connected to the cant rail of the car body of the locomotive, such that the load from the underframe is transferred to the base of the joint, through the body portion of the joint, to the diagonally situated member and to the cant rail during bending of the underframe of the locomotive. In another aspect of the present invention, a joint is provided which is generally flexible to accommodate bending of the car body and underframe of the locomotive relative to their respective stiffnesses.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method that can be easily applied to friction stir welding where the thickness of face plates at one welding portion is different from the thickness of face plates at another welding portion. Three shape members 10, 11, 12 having two butt joint portions are mounted on a jig 15. The face plate 14 of shape member 10 is thick and the face plate 14 of shape member 12 is thin. The protruded height of projection 18 is greater at portion B where surface plates 14 being welded are thin than the protruded height of projection A where surface plates 14 are thick. The depths for inserting rotary tools to shape members 10, 11, 12 for friction stir welding are the same. Friction stir welding is facilitated since the size and insertion depth of all the rotary tools being applied can be the same.

Abstract: A rail vehicle comprising an anticlimber disposed in a vehicle end region and extending over substantially the entire width of the vehicle, wherein there is disposed, in the end region of the rail vehicle, at least one anticlimber element forming a partial vertical extension of the anticlimber, which anticlimber element is capable of engaging the anticlimber of another rail vehicle in the event of a collision.

Abstract: A method of insulating an existing cargo container, such as a boxcar. The method allows for the application of improved insulation materials to improve the R-Value of an existing boxcar without building a new boxcar. In one implementation, the method includes preparing multiple insulating panels comprising an insulating layer and an outer skin located on at least one face of the insulating layer and attaching the insulating panels on an exterior surface of the side walls, end walls, and roof of the boxcar. The method also includes installing closures on uncovered areas of the boxcar and applying foam insulation to the bottom surface of the boxcar.

Abstract: A rail road freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

Abstract: The invention provides a railway car with superior riding quality by improving the flexural rigidity of the car body structure while suppressing increase of body structure mass. A reinforcing plate 7 is attached to a roof construction 1 on the side facing an inner side of the car body at a longitudinal center portion of a railway car body structure 10 composed of a roof construction 1, a side construction 2, an underframe 3 and an end construction 4. The range in which the reinforcing plate 7 is adhered in the longitudinal direction of the railway car body structure 10 is between two body bolsters 6, and the range in which the plate 7 is adhered in the horizontal direction of the roof construction 1 is approximately half the length of the roof construction 1 in the horizontal direction. The thickness of the reinforcing plate 7 is increased gradually as the height of the roof construction 1 in the vertical direction increases.

Abstract: For a transportation machine such as a railway vehicle, a space for a driver is secured while collision energy is absorbed at a time of collision with a large obstacle, and entry of a flying object into a driving cab is prevented by a rigid structure at a time of collision with the flying object. Windows 40, 40 are provided in a flying object barrier plate 50 provided at a tip end portion of a driving cab 25, and energy absorbing members 100, 100 are penetrated through the windows 40, 40 to be disposed in a form extending outward of the flying object barrier plate 50 from an inside of the driving cab 25. The energy absorbing members 100, 100 of a large absorbing capacity can be efficiently disposed by utilizing a space of the driving cab 25 provided in a vehicle body. A beam member of a crushable zone 11a including the flying object barrier plate 50 is firmly placed and can be connected to a survival zone 10.

Abstract: Face plates 11 and 12 of a hollow shape member 10 are abutted against face plates 21 and 22 of a hollow shape member 20. Grooves 18 formed to said face plates 11 and 12 at the abutted region receive projections 28 formed to said face plates 21 and 22. A connecting plate 14 orthogonal to said face plates 11 and 12 is provided to the hollow shape member 10. There is no connecting plate orthogonal to face plates 21 and 22 disposed on the end of the hollow shape member 20. Friction stir welding heat causes the face plate 21 (22) to move toward the thickness direction of hollow shape members 10 and 20, but such movement is suppressed by the groove 18 and projection 28. Thereby, the abutted region is welded flatly. Since the hollow shape member 20 requires no connecting plate corresponding to plate 14, the welded members are light in weight.

Abstract: In a method of loading several like coupled storage cars with bulk material, a first storage car is first filled with the bulk material by reducing the conveying speed mode of a bottom conveyor band in the first storage car to a bulk material storing speed mode while a transfer conveyor band of the adjacent storage car fills the first storage car, the storing speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the first storage car is automatically adjusted in response to a measured amount of the bulk material accumulating in a pile so that the first storage car is filled to a maximal height, and after the accumulated pile has reached a forward end position, the conveying speed mode of the bottom conveyor band in the storage car adjacent to, and rearwardly of, the first storage car in the conveying direction is automatically reduced to the storing speed mode.

Abstract: A subframe 50 is connected via a vibration isolator 40 to a floor 11 of a railway car body 10, and the subframe 50 has a center pin 60 protruding downward therefrom and connected to a bogie 30. The subframe 50 is connected to a coupling device 70, and is disposed so as to come into contact with stoppers 13 on side beams 12 of the car body 10. According to this structure, since the coupling device 70 is not directly connected to the car body, there is no need to weld a rigid member to the bottom surface of the floor 11, and the railway car body can be manufactured easily. Moreover, since the subframe 50 is connected to the floor 11 via a vibration isolator, less noise is transmitted to the car body. Power is transmitted from the coupling device 70 or bogie 30 to side beams, so the structure of the car body can be simplified.

Abstract: A model train freight car and a method of manufacturing the same. An aluminum model freight train car body is extruded through a die. At least one accessory is attached to the freight car body. The model train freight car weight ranges from about 1.0 lbs. to about 1.75 lbs.

Abstract: In a railway car body formed of hollow shape members 40, a hollow shape member 51 having a shock absorbing function is provided to the ends of a hollow shape member 40 constituting an underframe 30, where impact load is most likely to be received. The hollow shape member 40 is positioned so that the longitudinal direction thereof is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the car body. When impact load is received, the hollow shape member 51 formed at the ends of the member 40 deforms and collapses, thereby relieving the impact force. The present invention simply provides treatment to some areas of the hollow shape members that form the car body without changing the conventional railway car structure greatly, thus minimizing the impact load provided to the passengers upon collision, and improves the safety of the railway car.

Abstract: A side structure included in a railroad car is provided with an window opening, and door openings formed on the longitudinally opposite sides of the window opening, respectively. The side structure excluding parts corresponding to the window opening and the door openings are divided into a plurality of sections. A first section extends vertically between the window opening and the door opening, a second section extends vertically between the window opening and the door opening, and a third section of a width substantially equal to that of the window opening extends under the window opening. Each of the sections has a core attached to the inner surface of an outer panel, and rim members having a substantially Z-shaped cross section and surround the core. An inner panel is attached to the core and the rim members so as to cover the inner surface of the core.

Abstract: A subframe 50 is connected via a vibration isolator 40 to a floor 11 of a railway car body 10, and the subframe 50 has a center pin 60 protruding downward therefrom and connected to a bogie 30. The subframe 50 is connected to a coupling device 70, and is disposed so as to come into contact with stoppers 13 on side beams 12 of the car body 10. According to this structure, since the coupling device 70 is not directly connected to the car body, there is no need to weld a rigid member to the bottom surface of the floor 11, and the railway car body can be manufactured easily. Moreover, since the subframe 50 is connected to the floor 11 via a vibration isolator, less noise is transmitted to the car body. Power is transmitted from the coupling device 70 or bogie 30 to side beams, so the structure of the car body can be simplified.

Abstract: A shipping container main storage unit is disclosed comprising a floor; a perimeter wall supported by a floor perimeter edge; an access opening within the perimeter wall; and a roof fastened to a top edge of a cap, a side edge of the cap fastened to the perimeter wall. The perimeter wall includes at least one pair of wall channels for slidingly receiving at least one clear wall panel, the pair of wall channels fastened to the floor at a first end and to the cap at a second end, and an effective space for slidingly withdrawing the wall panel is located between the roof and the perimeter wall upon removal of the cap. The invention is envisioned for use with semi-trailers, railroad cars, intermodal freight containers and air cargo containers.

Abstract: A brake handle for a train or other vehicle has a grip that may be grasped by a human operator, a shaft that is fastened to the grip, a hub that is fastened to the shaft and is rotated by the shaft, a mounting block that is supported by the hub for rotating movement, and a switch. The switch has a switch operator (such as a board provided with metal traces) supported by the hub and a switch contact supported by the mounting block.

Abstract: A car body for a rail vehicle including a plurality of beams (1) arranged to carry one or more wall elements (3-5). At least one of said beams (1) includes an attaching member (6), extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the beam, for engagement with at least a part of one or more components intended to be supported by the beam (1).

Abstract: A fiberglass railcar roof that includes a fiberglass surface with a central portion and a peripheral portion adapted to be joined to the upper edge region of a railcar. In some embodiments, the roof includes plural elongate fiberglass ribs extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiberglass surface. In some embodiments, the roof is adapted for use on refrigerated, high cube and cryogenic railcars. Methods for forming the invented roofs and roof panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a railway car, extruded frame members of an aluminum base alloy containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % are welded according to a friction stir welding method. In a structure, an aluminum base alloy plate containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % is prepared, to one face of the aluminum base alloy plate a rib is formed, and the aluminum base alloy plate is an extruded frame member. Accordingly, a railway car having a low welding distortion and a structure having a low welding distortion can be obtained.

Abstract: A front end portion 100 is disposed on the front end of a car body. The floor thereof consists of extruded hollow members 210 that constitute a shock absorber 200. The shock absorber 200 is divided into an upper shock absorber 200 and a lower shock absorber 200. Annealed extruded hollow members are used to form the hollow member 210. The hollow members 210 are disposed so that their direction of extrusion corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the car body. The hollow members 210 are divided longitudinally into two portions by a plate 220. At the width-direction ends of member 210, the face plates 211 and 212 are welded onto plates 223-226. Upon receiving impact load, members 210 fold up into concertinas, absorbing the impact force. Since members 210 are separated by a plate, they deform evenly and continuously into concertinas instead of being bent in half, capable of absorbing a large energy.

Abstract: A railcar unit has a pair of deep sidewalls and a cradle mounted between the sidewalls for carrying coils. The sidewalls span the distance between the two railcar trucks, and act as a pair of deep beams for carrying vertical loads. The deep sidewalls are arranged to extend above and below the centre sill of the cradle and to give vertical stiffness to the car. The centre sill is a straight through sill for carrying buff and draft loads between the couplers. The cradle is made from a set of cross bearers welded to the centre sill to form a series of segmented beams, covered by plating. The cross bearers are welded to the sidewalls at lap joints. The cross bearers are all of the same design and can be made from a rolled beam. The sidewalls have their deepest section at mid-span, and are tapered to a thinner section toward the end structure of the cars. The tapering includes provision of an access way between the railcar truck wheels and the sidewall to permit brake maintenance.

Abstract: To prevent a window intruding into a cab of a rail vehicle in the event of an impact, the vehicle including a protective structure between the window and the interior of the cab and the protective structure including an opening facing the window, the protective structure supports anti-intrusion members which can move to obstruct at least part of the opening.

Abstract: Pultruded panels having a first longitudinal edge profile and a second longitudinal edge profile may be used to form a floor assembly mounted on a railway car underframe. The pultruded panels may also be used to form walkways, bridges, piers and other structures. A bead may be placed on at least one of the longitudinal edge profiles to form a gap between an adjacent pultruded panel. An adhesive may be placed within the gap to couple or bond adjacent pultruded panels with each other. Void spaces may be formed within the pultruded panel and filled with foam to provide improved resistance to heat transfer through the respective panel. Respective coverings may be placed on opposite ends of each panel to block access to the associated void spaces.

Abstract: A car body 1 provided in particular for railway vehicles has two longitudinal roof beams 2 that support a roof closing plate 6 fastened to them in an air-tight and water-tight manner. Transverse roof arches 3 connect the longitudinal roof beams 2. To achieve a simplified structure, the transverse roof arches 3 are located above the roof closing plate 6, whereby auxiliary units 13 are installed on roof arches 3.

Abstract: An undercar assembly for a railroad car. The undercar assembly has a structural member extending longitudinally between the longitudinal sides of the railroad car, where this structural member includes a pair of longitudinally extending beam elements transversely spaced apart from one another. At least one auxiliary equipment bay is defined between the longitudinally extending structural member and one of the longitudinal sides of the railroad car. The auxiliary equipment bay is capable to receive at least one auxiliary equipment, the structural member being operative to support at least in part the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bay.

Abstract: An intercommunicating passageway (9) between double-decker articulated railway coaches (1). A wheel frame (10) with a lowered center section (11) and a pair of wheels (12a, 12b) is at an area between two successive coaches, which have a lower passenger room (7) with a first floor (3) at a first lower level (H1a) between pairs of wheels, and an upper passenger room (8) with a second floor (4) at a higher level (H2), on top of said lower passenger room. In said passageway a first bridge (5) extends between two successive coaches, the first bridge being at a second lower level (H1b) on the first floors, and a second bridge (6) extends between said two successive coaches, the second bridge being substantially in the same higher level with the second floors of the coaches connected. Said first and second lower levels (H1a, H1b) of the first floors and the first bridge are down from the highest peripheral point (P) of said wheels.

Abstract: A rail vehicle having an end provided with a driver's cab, said vehicle having a rigid frame extending under said driver's cab, said rail vehicle having a protective shield disposed in front of said driver's cab and provided with a rigid structure, said protective shield resting on said frame and being connected to said frame via at least one energy-absorbing element interposed locally between the shield and the frame.

Abstract: A multi-unit railroad freight car and a container-carrying bridge unit for such a car. The bridge unit extends between and is carried on the adjacent body bolsters of both of a pair of drawbar-connected well units designed for carrying stacked cargo containers. The bridge unit includes a center sill, a transverse bolster at each end of the center sill, and container-supporting arms extending from the bolsters and above the body bolsters of the adjacent container well units to support a cargo container.

Abstract: A railcar unit has a pair of deep sidewalls and a cradle mounted between the sidewalls for carrying coils. The sidewalls span the distance between the two railcar trucks, and act as a pair of deep beams for carrying vertical loads. The deep sidewalls are arranged to extend above and below the center sill of the cradle and to give vertical stiffness to the car. The center sill is a straight through sill for carrying buff and draft loads between the couplers. The cradle is made from a set of cross bearers welded to the center sill to form a series of segmented beams, covered by plating. The cross bearers are welded to the sidewalls at lap joints. The cross bearers are all of the same design and can be made from a rolled beam. The sidewalls have their deepest section at mid-span, and are tapered to a thinner section toward the end structure of the cars. The tapering includes provision of an access way between the railcar truck wheels and the sidewall to permit brake maintenance.

Abstract: A vehicle roof has at least two rigid roof components which are tiltable and foldable away rearwardly in an opening operation, a profiled sealing element provided at least between the roof components and extending transversely to a vehicle on a frontal edge of a first one of the roof components, the first roof component being furnished with an associated collecting channel for collecting water that runs off when the first roof component is moved, the profiled sealing element incorporating a channel that is connected with the collecting channel, the further channel providing at least one orifice via which water is in the collecting channel is transferred to the further channel as the first roof component is moved.

Abstract: In a railway car, extruded frame members of an aluminum base alloy containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % are welded according to a friction stir welding method. In a structure, an aluminum base alloy plate containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % is prepared, to one face of the aluminum base alloy plate a rib is formed, and the aluminum base alloy plate is an extruded frame member. Accordingly, a railway car having a low welding distortion and a structure having a low welding distortion can be obtained.

Abstract: A dual hopper rail car is converted from a three-hopper rail car. The converted rail car includes a pair of hoppers with each hopper including a discharge opening for discharging contents of the hopper. A center sill, pair of top chords, a pair of side sills and a pair of side sheets extend along the length of the converted rail car and each includes a welded splice connection. The welded splice connection of each side sheet is adjacent and between a pair of side stakes with a tie plate extending between the pair of side stakes. The method of converting the three-hopper rail car to the two-hopper rail car includes: severing the three-hopper rail car into a first end section, a second end section and a center section that includes the center hopper and a portion of an adjacent hopper; removing the center section; and attaching the first end section to the second end section.

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member may be a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connectable to a side sill at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side sill. Each end of the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side sills.

Abstract: A fiberglass railcar roof that includes a fiberglass surface with a central portion and a peripheral portion adapted to be joined to the upper edge region of a railcar. In some embodiments, the roof includes plural elongate fiberglass ribs extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fiberglass surface. In some embodiments, the roof is adapted for use on refrigerated, high cube and cryogenic railcars. Methods for forming the invented roofs and roof panels are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a railway car body formed of hollow shape members 40, a hollow shape member 51 having a shock absorbing function is provided to the ends of a hollow shape member 40 constituting an underframe 30, where impact load is most likely to be received. The hollow shape member 40 is positioned so that the longitudinal direction thereof is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the car body. When impact load is received, the hollow shape member 51 formed at the ends of the member 40 deforms and collapses, thereby relieving the impact force. The present invention simply provides treatment to some areas of the hollow shape members that form the car body without changing the conventional railway car structure greatly, thus minimizing the impact load provided to the passengers upon collision, and improves the safety of the railway car.

Abstract: Pultruded panels having a first longitudinal edge profile and a second longitudinal edge profile may be used to form a floor assembly mounted on a railway car underframe. The pultruded panels may also be used to form walkways, bridges, piers and other structures. A bead may be placed on at least one of the longitudinal edge profiles to form a gap between an adjacent pultruded panel. An adhesive may be placed within the gap to couple or bond adjacent pultruded panels with each other. Void spaces may be formed within the pultruded panel and filled with foam to provide improved resistance to heat transfer through the respective panel. Respective coverings may be placed on opposite ends of each panel to block access to the associated void spaces.

Abstract: A car body, in which a hollow shape stock composed of two face plates and ribs joining the face plates together is used to form a side body, and stresses are reduced while minimizing an increase in mass. A car body, comprising a hollow shape stock composed of two face plates (31, 31) and ribs (32) joining the face plates together and used to form a side body (11), wherein face plate portions (31c, 31d) in regions (B, D) above and below connection points (c) between circular arcs, which constitute corner portions of a window (15), and vertical sides of the window (15) are greater in thickness than in the remaining regions (A, C, E). Stresses are most heavily concentrated in the regions (B, D). Therefore, it is possible to achieve reduction in mass and enhancement in strength together. Further, buckling preventive tools can be arranged in spaces in the regions (B, D) of the hollow shape stock.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a rail vehicle with a head module made of a composite fiber material. For this, a joining region with height-tolerance compensating means (5) is arranged on the underframe (3) and a joining edge with longitudinal and lateral tolerance compensating means (7 and 8) is arranged on the wagon body module (2). The head module has joining edges that point toward the wagon body module (2) and the underframe (3) and is provided with reinforced sections (18, 19) that are integrated into the fiber composite material. The head module is attached to the underframe (3) and at least at the head module side walls (14) of the wagon body module (2) by means of fastening means (20, 21), which build up a pre-tensioning force, in such a way that shear-resistant connections are created.

Abstract: The railcar includes modified side top chord members which allow for increased hauling capacity. Additionally, the side top chord member is designed to improve the loading characteristics of this member. The end top chord members and corner cap member have been designed to minimize the fabrication and assembly process. The end top chord members have been designed to improve the stress distribution through this member. All of these characteristics combine to form an improved top chord structure for the railcar.