Abstract: An anti-spin or stop mechanism for a railway car door includes a rotatable ratchet wheel having radially outward extending teeth on the outer circumferential surface, and first and second pawls mounted in side-by-side relation on a common pivot pin for engaging the ratchet wheel teeth. The ratchet wheel is commonly mounted on a shaft with a lever or handle used to activate a drive mechanism for partially opening or fully closing the door. The pawls are continuously urged toward engagement with the ratchet wheel so that one of the pawls is always disposed in engagement with a ratchet wheel tooth while the other pawl rests against a land between two adjacent teeth. Each tooth has a leading edge and a trailing edge configured so that the pawls may act against the teeth trailing edges to prevent movement of the ratchet wheel in one direction of rotation while permitting rotation over the leading edges in the other direction of rotation.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The deck has a central portion and end portions. The end portions of the deck are carried at a greater height than the center portion, the difference in height corresponding to the height of a bundle of lumber. The car has a center sill having a depth corresponding to the depth of the step in the deck. The end portion of the center sill has an internal plate defining a draft gear pocket upper wall. The medial portion of the center sill is narrower than the end portion, and of deep section, such that it has a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: A hinge and support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment is provided. The system includes a hinge member, associated with a deck panel, which has at least one flexible projection. The hinge member mates with a support member having a pocket for which the hinge member's flexible projections can be snapped into and retained within so as to allow pivotal movement of the hinge member with respect to the support member. The hinge member is also movably supported by the deck panel so that the hinge member can move relative to the deck panel when the deck panel is deployed. The support member includes one ledge which engages the deck panel when deployed and a second ledge which engages the panel when stowed upright so as to substantially isolate the hinge member from the weight of the deck panel and items placed on it. The hinge structure can be utilized in other contexts.

Abstract: A center beam railroad freight car including a cover for the lateral surfaces of the top chord of the center beam to reduce cargo damage.

Abstract: An integral intermodal train is provided for carrying standard over-the-highway semi-trailers. The intermodal train can include a standard locomotive pulling one or more train segments. Each segment can have a plurality of platforms and may be loaded or unloaded independently of any other segment using a self contained, roll-on/roll-off system. At least one platform should be equipped with a standard knuckle coupler at standard height to permit the segments to be pulled by any existing locomotive. Each segment can consist of three platform types, articulated together, an adapter platform coupled behind the locomotive, an intermediate platform having a truck at only one end and the other end supported by the end of the adapter platform and a loading ramp platform also having a truck at only one with the other end supported by the truck end of the intermediate platform. The truck end of the ramp platform can have a hinged ramp assembly which can be raised or lowered to load the platforms.

Abstract: The loading troughs 11, 12, 13 of the coil transporter are formed by transverse supports 17, 18, 19 connected to the longitudinal supports 3, 4 of the undercarriage 1. The trough-forming transverse supports are U-shaped supports which are covered by a trough sheet 20 for bearing the coils 14, 15, 16. Together with the covering sheet, they form hollow bodies, which are preferably stiffened with transverse ribs 24. With these trough-forming transverse supports, it is possible for the admissible bearing load of the transporter, with the unloaded weight being the same or reduced, to be increased. Furthermore, the production is simplified on account of a smaller number of connection locations.

Abstract: Composite flatbed and well car railcar containers are disclosed herein, as well as modular containers formed from prefabricated side, end, top and bottom panels. In some embodiments, the container is a temperature-controlled container. The present invention is also directed to an improved door for use on the invented containers, as well as conventional containers and railcars.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented web work structure for carrying vertical shear loads. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a deep upper beam structure that has downwardly extending planar surfaces. The surfaces provide a bearing area against which bundled loads can be secured. The surfaces are inwardly reinforced to discourage deflection between adjacent upright members of the vertical web work.

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.

Abstract: A railcar unit has a pair of opposed side sills that are joined by structure that performs the function of a web in a deep beam or bracing in a truss. The joining structure is able to transmit loads that are applied transversely to the longitudinal direction of the car from one sill to the other, and is also able to transmit a bending moment couple, in the form of opposite longitudinal tensile and compressive forces, also transmitted to the side sills. The locations at which the transverse forces are imposed on, or by, the intermediate structure have longitudinal slip. When the railcar unit is placed in longitudinal tension under draft loads, the longitudinal slip allows the floor structure not to be subject to the longitudinal draft loads. In the embodiment described the joining structure serves the additional function of acting as a floor panel for vertical loads carried within the well car unit.

Abstract: A composite box structure assembled on and securely attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car or on insulated boxcar. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced plastic attached to the side stakes. Foam insulation may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one layer of fiber reinforced plastic. The foam insulation provides improved resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. An airflow management system may be incorporated into the composite box structure.

Abstract: Smooth interior walls for steel boxcars are provided by an improved fabrication technique. The boxcar side wall is constructed using a horizontal offset seam joined by welding. There are no vertical butt welds in the side assembly, which butt welds and the reinforcements associated with such welds have traditionally caused damage to sensitive cargo like newsprint rolls.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a center beam railway car adapted for reducing chafing between lading and a center beam structure of the railway car. According to an embodiment of the invention, lading may be stacked against rollers provided along the center beam structure to reduce friction between the center beam structure and the lading. In an embodiment of the invention, the rollers may be adapted to accommodate both horizontal and vertical relative movement between the lading and the center beam structure of the railway car.

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: A center beam railcar that has increased volume capacity and versatility. The car preferably has a narrow top chord that does not interfere with loading by overhead crane, but still contributes significantly to the strength and load carrying capacity of the railcar. The top chord is preferably of a generally rectangular, tubular configuration, and has a width substantially equal to or slightly less than the width of the intermediate portion of the center beam therebelow. The railcar preferably has a depressed central portion that provides a clear loading height of at least about 14 feet thereabove, located between a pair of higher end portions, each preferably having a length of about 16 feet so that the end portions may be used to carry products of substantial length. The depth of the depression may be, e.g., about 16 in., to enable the depression to accommodate bundles of engineered wood products having a height of 15½ in.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a center beam railway car adapted for reducing chafing between lading and a center beam structure of the railway car. According to an embodiment of the invention, lading may be stacked against rollers provided along the center beam structure to reduce friction between the center beam structure and the lading. In an embodiment of the invention, the rollers may be adapted to accommodate both horizontal and vertical relative movement between the lading and the center beam structure of the railway car.

Abstract: A rail road car has a deck for carrying wheeled vehicles. The rail road car can be coupled to other rail road cars of the same type. Bridge plates are provided to permit wheeled vehicles to be conducted between adjacent rail road cars. The bridge plates have one end mounted to the rail road car at a pivot fitting. The pivot fitting allows the bridge plate to be moved from a length-wise position spanning the gap between cars, to a cross-wise storage position. The bridge plates have fittings which permit three degrees of freedom relative to the adjacent rail road cars, namely a first degree of freedom to tolerate yawing motion of the first rail road car, a second degree of freedom to accommodate yawing motion of the second rail road car, and a third degree of freedom to accommodate variation in distance between the respective portions of the rail road cars to which the bridge plate is mounted while the rail road cars are moving.

Abstract: A rail road car has a deck for carrying wheeled vehicles. It has a bridge plate mounted to one end to permit wheeled vehicles to be conducted between the rail road car and an adjacently coupled rail road car. The bridge plate is movable between an extended, “drive-over” longitudinal orientation relative to the rail road car, and a side-ways, or cross-ways stowed orientation. The bridge plate can be moved to the stowed position by uncoupling the rail car, and pivoting the bridge plate to the cross-ways position. The cars can be re-coupled by placing the bridge plate in the length-wise orientation, and then advancing two cars together to form a coupling.

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 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: The loading troughs 11, 12, 13 of the coil transporter are formed by transverse supports 17, 18, 19 connected to the longitudinal supports 3, 4 of the undercarriage 1. The trough-forming transverse supports are U-shaped supports which are covered by a trough sheet 20 for bearing the coils 14, 15, 16. Together with the covering sheet, they form hollow bodies, which are preferably stiffened with transverse ribs 24. With these trough-forming transverse supports, it is possible for the admissible bearing load of the transporter, with the unloaded weight being the same or reduced, to be increased. Furthermore, the production is simplified on account of a smaller number of connection locations.

Abstract: A railroad car roof panel and skylight assembly. The assembly includes a rectangular metal roof panel. A pair of corrugations are formed in the roof panel with the corrugations extending longitudinally of the roof panel and spaced apart from one another transversely across the roof panel. A pair of light holes are formed in the roof panel between the corrugations. The light holes are positioned longitudinally of each other with each of the light holes having an inner edge. A translucent plastic window is located above each light hole. Each transparent window has a shape similar to but larger than the shape of its light hole and is positioned to overlie the inner edge of its light hole. The transparent plastic window may be planar or dome shaped. A ring shaped gasket formed of an elastomer such as EPDM has an annulus of rectangular transverse cross section with a thickness greater than that of the translucent window. The gasket also has an integrally outwardly extending brim which is thinner than the annulus.

Abstract: An auto rack rail road freight car is provided for carrying low density, relatively high value, relatively fragile lading. The car has trucks that have multiple dampers in a four corner arrangement in the sideframes. The spring groups in the side frames are relatively soft, giving a low vertical bounce natural frequency. In an articulated embodiment, differentially placed ballast is mounted in a biased arrangement to load the coupler end trucks to encourage a dynamic response similar to the dynamic response of the internal trucks.

Abstract: A swing motion rail road freight car truck is provided that does not have lateral underslung cross bracing in the nature of a transom, a frame brace, or lateral rods. The truck has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The side frames have spring seats for the groups of springs. The springs seats may be on rockers, or may be rigidly mounted in the side frames. Friction dampers are provided in inboard and outboard pairs.

Abstract: A center beam railroad freight car with a depressed cargo-carrying floor located on each side of the center beam in an intermediate portion of the car located between respective end portions of the car having higher floors. A bottom plate of the center sill in the intermediate portion of the car is included as a part of the depressed cargo-carrying floor, and crossbearers support floor sheets that extend laterally outward. Side surfaces of the center sill and columns of the center beam are coplanar.

Abstract: An auto rack rail road freight car is provided for carrying low density, relatively high value, relatively fragile lading. The car has a relatively soft suspension and an empty vertical bounce natural frequency of less than 2.0 Hz. The car also has additional ballast to increase the dead sprung weight of the car relative to the weight of the lading. In the embodiments in which multi-unit articulated freight cars are employed, such as for auto rack rail cars, the ballast is located preferentially toward the coupler end trucks. The trucks for the railcar have an increased wheel base and damping located to provide a greater moment arm and bearing face to encourage a higher threshhold for rail car hunting.

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 flatbed railcar is provided which may be utilized for the transport of relatively lightweight bulky articles, as well as relatively heavy articles such as steel beams. The railcar includes a number of components which cooperate to allow such diversity of uses. A rectangular base structure is provided. A substantially planar deck is secured to the upper surface of the rectangular base structure. A plurality of rail wheel assemblies are coupled to the lower surface of the base structure. The rail wheel assemblies are adapted for engaging a railroad. A first bulkhead member is coupled to a first end of the base structure. A second bulkhead member is coupled to the second end of the base structure. A vertical center partition member is also provided. The vertical center partition member is substantially perpendicular to the base structure. It is located along a longitudinal centerline relative to the base structure.

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 roof assembly mounted on a composite box structure with an air plenum assembly attached to and extending from an interior surface of the roof assembly. The composite box structure includes a pair of end wall assemblies, a pair of side wall assemblies, a floor assembly and the roof assembly. An opening may be formed in one end of the end wall assemblies to allow installing a temperature control system. An airflow management system may be incorporated into the composite box structure. The composite box structure may be assembled on a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car or an insulated box car.

Abstract: A center beam railcar that has increased volume capacity and versatility. The car preferably has a narrow top chord that does not interfere with loading by overhead crane, but still contributes significantly to the strength and load carrying capacity of the railcar. The top chord is preferably of a generally rectangular, tubular configuration, and has a width substantially equal to or slightly less than the width of the intermediate portion of the center beam therebelow. The railcar preferably has a depressed central portion that provides a clear loading height of at least about 14 feet thereabove, located between a pair of higher end portions, each preferably having a length of about 16 feet so that the end portions may be used to carry products of substantial length. The depth of the depression may be, e.g., about 16 in., to enable the depression to accommodate bundles of engineered wood products having a height of 15½ in.

Abstract: A 100-125 ton capacity steel flat railcar hauls steel slabs with the capacity to alternatively haul steel coils. The car design allows steel slabs of various sizes and weights to be hauled efficiently by placing the slabs longitudinally on the car. The slabs are captive by side stanchions restricting the slabs from lateral movement and bulkheads at the ends preventing longitudinal movement of the slabs. The weight of the slabs is concentrated near the bolsters through raised mounting platforms. The railcar also has the capability to haul steel coils in a built-in trough over the bolster area. The end bulkheads restrict and position the steel coils allowing the coils in each trough to have a gap between them for ease of loading and unloading. The side stanchions restrict the steel coils from unwanted unloading due to coupler forces.

Abstract: Lading protectors for mounting between the upper ends of adjacent columns positioned along the centerline of a centerbeam rail car. Each protector comprises a pair of parallel and upright lading engaging side plates supported on opposite sides of a horizontal elongated stiffener plate. The side plates are bent at the bottoms and ends so as to avoid exposure of free edges to the lading. The outer surfaces of the side plates are located appreciably outside the adjacent surfaces of the columns they extend between so that the lading engages the side plates and not the columns.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The deck has a central portion and end portions. The end portions of the deck are carried at a greater height than the center portion, the difference in height corresponding to the height of a bundle of lumber. The car has a center sill having a depth corresponding to the depth of the step in the deck. The end portion of the center sill has an internal plate defining a draft gear pocket upper wall. The medial portion of the center sill is narrower than the end portion, and of deep section, such that it has a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The present invention aims to manufacture a car body with ease. A hollow material 10 comprises the lower portion of a side structure 201 of the car body. A face plate 11 of the hollow material 10 at the external side of the car has a lower end which projects further downward than a face plate 12 at the internal side of the car. The lower ends of the face plates 11, 12 are connected by a rib 13. The hollow portion thus formed is triangular in shape. A rib 14 above the rib 13 is formed horizontally. The face plates 11, 12 and a rib 15 positioned above the rib 14 are eliminated from the region of one or more doorways 220. The lower end of the doorway 220 of the side structure 201 is equipped with the hollow portion, so that it stays strong against transfer of the side structure. A hollow-shaped material 110, which comprises the end portion of an underframe 203, has an end portion in the width direction which forms a slope (rib 114) facing towards the upper side of the external side of the car.

Abstract: A railcar has a substructure, a superstructure and intermediate webwork sides joining the substructure and the superstructure to form a truss-like structure for carrying automobiles. The resultant truss-like structure does not have a straight through center sill, but does retain end stub sills. The main deck of this structure can be depressed between the railcar trucks, and, in combination with a vehicle supporting deck structure allows vehicles of a greater height to be carried in the depressed center than over the end structure above the railcar trucks. The integrated structure, including a structurally significant roof frame, is also used to support the vehicle carrying decking.

Abstract: A center partition or center beam railroad freight car with a bulkhead at each end and a depressed cargo-carrying floor located on each side of the center beam in an intermediate portion of the car located between respective end portions of the car having higher floors. A wide bottom plate of the center sill in the intermediate portion of the car is included as a part of the depressed cargo-carrying floor, and crossbearers are attached to the bottom of the center sill, extending laterally to side sills in the intermediate section of the car to support floor sheets that extend laterally outward from the bottom plate of the center sill. Longitudinal stringers are attached to the underside of the bottom plate of the center sill between the crossbearers. A body bolster has arms that extend diagonally upward and outward to side sills supporting the higher floors in the end portions of the car.

Abstract: An improved railway car body structure is described. One of the features of the box car is that the longitudinal side walls are formed by a plurality of spaced apart vertical side posts which are hat-shaped in cross-section and define a bottom wall portion, opposed side walls and opposed end flanges extending in a common plane. Horizontal structural stiffeners are secured between the vertical side posts. The stiffeners define a recessed wall portion aligned with a recessed formation formed in the opposed end flanges of the vertical side posts. Ferrous sheet members are secured to the side wall and also to the end frames by welds disposed in the recess wall portion of the stiffeners and recessed formation of the vertical posts to form flush, unobstructed, inner side and end walls of the railway car. A new roof structure is also described and incorporates improved skylight designs.

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 includes a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connected 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. A retractable container stop is mounted to each end of the central container support cross member.

Abstract: A center beam railroad freight car with a depressed cargo-carrying floor located on each side of the center beam in an intermediate portion of the car located between respective end portions of the car having higher floors. A bottom plate of the center sill in the intermediate portion of the car is included as a part of the depressed cargo-carrying floor, and crossbearers support floor sheets that extend laterally outward. Side surfaces of the center sill and columns of the center beam are coplanar.

Abstract: Composite flatbed and well car railcar containers are disclosed herein, as well as modular containers formed from prefabricated side, end, top and bottom panels. In some embodiments, the container is a temperature-controlled container. The present invention is also directed to an improved door for use on the invented containers, as well as conventional containers and railcars.

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: A panel system includes a first skin, a second skin, a web core constructed from sheet material for securing the skins together in a spaced, sandwich relationship, and a connecting means for affixing the web core within the skins. The web core includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal members having longitudinally spaced projections extending therefrom and further having transversely aligned, longitudinally spaced slots therein. The web core further includes a plurality of spaced-apart, transverse cross members each having spaced slots therein receiving the longitudinal members at corresponding transversely aligned slots thereof to provide an interlocked grid work between the first and second skins. The grid is connected to the skins utilizing the projections, which extend through slits in the skins in one embodiment to facilitate welding or otherwise bonding the components. In a second embodiment the projections present mounting ears that receive fasteners that extend through the skins.

Abstract: A composite box structure is formed from individually manufactured components such as a pair of endwalls, a pair of sidewalls, a floor and a roof. One or more components preferably include a core encapsulated in multiple layers of fiber reinforced plastic. The core may be formed from various materials which provide improved resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. The composite box structure may include one or more components manufactured at least in part from steel alloys, aluminum alloys, wood and/or other materials associated with conventional railway boxcars. An opening is provided in each sidewall to allow access to the interior of the composite box structure. An opening may be formed in one of the endwalls of the composite box structure to allow installation of a temperature control system. An airflow management system may also be incorporated into selected interior portions of the roof, sidewalls, endwalls, and floor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a railway car for the transportation of semi-trucks. The railway car may have an interior defined by a support surface for the trucks, a pair of upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. End doors may be located at each end of the railway car for selectively permitting access to the interior thereof. The horizontal width at the ends of the railway car may be selected to permit the trucks to be loaded into the interior of the railway car.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing logs from a forestry site. The apparatus and method includes a primary mobile machine having means attached to a rearward portion thereof for holding a first end of a first log cluster. The apparatus and method also includes a first secondary mobile machine with a first end having means for holding a second end of the first log cluster, and a second end having means for holding a first end of a second log cluster. The primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.

Abstract: Smooth interior walls for steel boxcars are provided by an improved fabrication technique. The boxcar side wall is constructed using a horizontal offset seam joined by welding. There are no vertical butt welds in the side assembly, which butt welds and the reinforcements associated with such welds have traditionally caused damage to sensitive cargo like newsprint rolls.

Abstract: A radial end door that includes, in addition to the conventional inner and outer rollers for supporting the door, a door mounted support on the inner portion of the door, unsupported by the railcar body when the door is open, but supported by the railcar body when the door is closed. The door mounted support preferably comprises a roller that can be added as a retrofit or upgrade to the existing door, without altering the basic configuration, geometry or operational characteristics of the door, except to improve the performance of the door. The door mounted support preferably cooperates with a floor-mounted support comprising a wear bar having a ramp portion to raise the door mounted support and increase loading on the outer roller as the door is closed.

Abstract: A roof assembly for a railroad boxcar having centrally located side door openings. The roof assembly is formed of a number of roof panels each of generally rectangular shape and having longitudinally and laterally located edges. The roof panels are positioned on the boxcar with the longitudinal edges of the panels supported on top side plates of the boxcar. The roof panels include end panels, intermediate panels and door overlying panels. Each of the end panels is located at one of the longitudinal ends of the boxcar and has a laterally located edge. The door overlying panels are positioned over the centrally located side doors of the boxcar. The intermediate panels are positioned between the end panels and the door overlying panels. Each of the intermediate panels is wider than each of the door overlying panels and wider than the end panels. Each intermediate panel is formed with four corrugations while each end panel and door overlying panel is formed with two corrugations.

Abstract: A railcar includes a pair of car tubs on opposite sides of a center sill. Each car tub includes a cross-section to increase carrying capacity. Each car tub includes a longitudinal semi-circular floor plate formed by a cold-formed process. Additionally, each car plate includes a one-piece composite tub closure at each end thereof.