Abstract: A novel sidewall structure for a motor-vehicle carrying railway car wherein at least one upper deck is supported principally by longitudinal beams that are themselves supported by end structures, without the need for large, heavy vertical posts to support the decks between the end structures. To provide a lightweight car body with sufficient strength and durability for commercial rail service, the car body may be of monocoque construction. Each sidewall preferably has a plate girder structure that employs the horizontal beams as its principal supports, with the beams tied together by sidewall panels or plates. A plurality of light stiffeners may be employed to limit flexure of the sidewalls. Each of the end structures preferably comprises an offset H frame that includes a draft sill joined to a body bolster, and inner and outer cross bearers joined to the draft sill. In the offset H frame, the draft sill slopes downward and inward, with the inner cross bearer being at a lower elevation than the outer one.

Abstract: A railway car with a pair of improved sidewalls is provided. For some applications, the railway car may include a steel railway car underframe with an aluminum body mounted thereon. The car body preferably includes a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls. The car body may have an open top or a roof mounted thereon. Relatively, thin side posts are disposed on the exterior of the sidewalls to allow increasing cargo carrying capacity of the railway car. At least one longitudinal stiffener is disposed along the interior surface of each sidewall to provide sufficient strength for the sidewall based on anticipated loading while at the same time allowing reducing the number and the thickness of the side posts. For some applications the side posts and the longitudinal stiffeners may be formed by an extrusion process with substantially the same cross section.

Abstract: A railroad car with adjustable floor and roof sections that allow a user to convert the car from a bi-level to a tri-level car. The overall height of the car can be reduced, which results in reduced costs because the need to stockpile bi-level and tri-level cars for use on routes with different height restrictions is eliminated.

Abstract: A sidewall structure for a motor-vehicle carrying railway car wherein at least one upper deck is supported principally by longitudinal beams that are themselves supported by end structures, without the need for large, heavy vertical posts to support the decks between the end structures. To provide a lightweight car body with sufficient strength and durability for commercial rail service, the car body may be of monocoque construction. Each sidewall preferably has a plate girder structure that employs the horizontal beams as its principal supports, with the beams tied together by sidewall panels or plates. A plurality of light stiffeners may be employed to limit flexure of the sidewalls. Each of the end structures preferably comprises an offset H frame that includes a draft sill joined to a body bolster, and inner and outer cross bearers joined to the draft sill. In the offset H frame, the draft sill slopes downward and inward, with the inner cross bearer being at a lower elevation than the outer one.

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 hopper car having smooth side walls being reinforced by a horizontal beam along a horizontal seam. The roof of the car has a plurality of extruded beams, including a pair of combining extrusion extending the length of a hatch opening. The coaming extrusions include tabs to which the hatch covers can be attached at any location. A hollow side sill is formed with tabs to attach the side sheets and the sloped floor panels. A four piece hood encases the center sill along its length.

Abstract: A method for producing depressed center railcars involves a combination of casting and fabrication. Transition members of the railcar can be casted, preferably with interlocking ledges on the ends of the transition members. The center section can be fabricated from, preferably precambered, longitudinal stringers which can then be connected between the casted transition members via the interlocking ledges. Standard steel warehouse plates can be attached to the fabricated framework of longitudinal stringers to form the surface of the center section. The transition members can be cast with integral provision to accept a center plate member. The fabricated framework of stringers can include reinforcement members for added strength. The framework can also be constructed to allow for the placement of the parts of the brake system and other components on the underside of the railcar.

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 between the top truss and the center sill and decking. 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 skirts. The skirts provide an extended bearing area upon against which bundled loads can be secured. The skirts are inwardly reinforced to discourage deflection between adjacent upright members of the vertical web work.

Abstract: A carriage body of a railroad car has an undercarriage, a floor slab, side wall parts, and a roof, the floor slab having a width which together with a thickness of the side wall parts which face one another defining a functional size of a width of the carriage body, the undercarriage having a width which is less than the functional size of the width of the carriage body, the side wall parts being connected in a force-transmitting fashion to the undercarriage.

Abstract: A coach body of a rail vehicle has horizontal and vertical walls, the horizontal walls serving to form both a floor and a ceiling, while the vertical walls forming side walls, the vertical walls having cutouts for at least one window and one boarding door, the horizontal and vertical walls being formed by modules of fiber-reinforced plastic divided sectionally crosswise to a longitudinal axis of the coach body, each two of these hand-modules which are complimentary to one another and are joined in a force-transmitting way at the horizontal walls which meet in a middle of the vehicle forming one longitudinal section of the coach body, and a length of the coach body being formed accordingly by a force-transmitting connection of a number of the longitudinal sections at abutting points extending all the way around in transverse direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A railway car includes a first end, a second end, and a first side disposed longitudinally between the first end and the second end. The first side includes a concave portion in a generally horizontal plane of the railway car. The concave portion provides a railway car with increased cargo-carrying capacity.

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: In order to provide a car-body structure which has few different kinds of structural members, a small number of structural members, a small occurrence of strain and which is high in dimensional accuracy, and, consequently, in assembling accuracy, each of the car-body blocks is formed of a one-piece structure consisting of an outside plate and a reinforcing plate, each of which is made of a metallic material. The reinforcing plate is composed of panels divided into a plurality of sections; and, each of the panels has a plurality of beads in the form of a long and narrow projection formed by plastic working of a metal plate and extending in the longitudinal direction of the block. A bar-ring in the form of a long hole with a rib extending in the direction of the block is formed between the beads through plastic working. Further, at least one post-shaped protrusion extending in the direction intersecting at a right angle with the bead is provided in each of panels of the reinforcing plate.

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 floor plate assembly for a railway freight car structure. The assembly includes a floor plate and set of floor plate support assemblies, each having a base and at least one side wall. The side wall has an outer margin that in some embodiments is welded to the floor plate. A reinforcing bar is welded to the base and has a margin which is located closely adjacent to the floor plate and which is welded to the floor plate in some embodiments. In some embodiments the floor plate support assemblies each have two side walls and the reinforcing bar is welded to the base between the side walls. The floor plate support assemblies may be formed away from the railway freight car that is under construction by using a jig to facilitate welding the reinforcing bar to the base. The floor plate assembly may also be assembled separately and then may be efficiently welded to the members of the freight car underframe.

Abstract: A composite box structure having a core encapsulated in multiple layers of fiber reinforced plastic is provided. 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 includes a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, a floor and a roof with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. An opening is formed in each side wall to allow access to the interior of the composite box structure. An opening may also be formed in one end of the composite box structure to allow installing a temperature control system therein. An airflow management system may be incorporated into selected interior portions of the roof, side walls, end walls and floor. The composite box structure may be mounted on a railway car underframe to provide a temperature controlled composite boxcar.

Abstract: The invention relates to modular elements (1) of differential construction which are particularly suitable for constructing cold-joined large bodywork or containers. All the components of the modular elements, substantially shell (2), shaping frames (3), edge profile (5) and optionally stringers (4) extending transversely to the frames and acting as buckling resistors, are cold-joined to each other, e.g. by pressure joining, punch riveting and the like. As a result, firstly rapid production with good surface quality is achieved, and secondly different materials such as iron and non-ferrous metals, fiber reinforced plastics etc. can be freely combined in hybrid structures to construct the modular elements, the local arrangement of materials in the modular element having to be adapted to the desired mechanical properties.

Abstract: A composite box structure having a core encapsulated in multiple layers of fiber reinforced plastic is provided. 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 includes a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls, a floor and a roof with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. An opening is formed in each side wall to allow access to the interior of the composite box structure. A flexible hinge or joint may be integrally molded between each end wall and the respective side walls and between each end wall and the floor. The composite box structure may be mounted on a railway car underframe to provide an insulated composite railway boxcar.

Abstract: There is provided an improvement for a railroad freight car for transporting containers. The car is of the type having spaced apart side structures, opposed end structures and a floor structure, all of which together define a well for receiving a plurality of containers. The well has a longitudinal direction substantially aligned with the direction of travel of the car and a transverse direction substantially normal thereto. The floor structure of the car has a container support within the well which provides a container support surface. The improvement comprises a container stop provided with the container support, the container stop having an extended position and a retracted position. The container stop is biased to the extended position by a biasing component. The extended position is defined by the container stop extending upwardly from the container support surface to present two stop surfaces within the well.

Abstract: A railway car underframe is provided for mounting a composite box structure thereon to form an insulated railway boxcar. The composite box structure includes side walls, end walls and a floor molded as an integral unit with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. The composite box structure includes a first fiber reinforced composite unit and a second fiber reinforced composite unit. The first fiber reinforce composite unit provides the end walls, side walls and floor for the railway boxcar. The second fiber reinforce unit may be permanently attached to the side walls and end walls to provide a roof for the boxcar. The railway car underframe has a center sill, side sills and end sills with a generally rectangular configuration and coplanar surfaces for adhesively bonding the composite box structure with the railway car underframe. Mechanical fasteners are also provided to couple the composite box structure with the railway car underframe.

Abstract: A composite roof having a core encapsulated in multiple layers of fiber reinforced plastic is provided. The composite roof may be mounted on a conventional railway car during initial manufacture or used to replace a damaged steel roof on a conventional railway car. The layers of fiber reinforced plastic provide non-corrosive and non-leaking exterior and interior surfaces for the composite roof. The core may be formed from various materials which provide improved resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of an associated railway car. The composite roof may be mounted on an enclosed structure having a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls and a floor. An opening may be formed in each side wall to allow access to the interior of the railway car. A top retainer and guide rail assembly will typically be mounted above each opening to allow installing a door to control access through the respective opening.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body.

Abstract: A lightweight hopper-type rail car provides for a smooth exterior surface so as to minimize aerodynamic drag thereon when the car is in motion. The railcar includes a cross ridge arrangement which greatly increases the fabrication efficiency of the car as well as providing a smooth interior surface so as to allow the maximum release of bulk material contained within the car.

Abstract: An insulated composite railway boxcar having a composite box structure mounted on a railway car underframe is provided. The composite box structure includes side walls, end walls and a floor molded as an integral unit with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. The composite box structure includes a first fiber reinforced composite unit and a second fiber reinforced composite unit. The first fiber reinforce composite unit provides the end walls, side walls and floor for the railway boxcar. The second fiber reinforce unit may be permanently attached to the side walls and end walls to provide a roof for the boxcar. The railway car underframe has a center sill, side sills and end sills with a generally rectangular configuration and coplanar surfaces for adhesively bonding the composite box structure with the railway car underframe. Mechanical fasteners are also provided to couple the composite box structure with the railway car underframe.

Abstract: An end structure for a railroad freight car having longitudinally extending and spaced apart side structures. Each of the side structures provide top and bottom longitudinally disposed structural members which are spaced apart and connected to the end structure. Each of the top and bottom members have a terminal end portion. The bottom member is shorter in length than the top member to define an overhanging relationship between the top and bottom members in an area of the end structure outboard of the terminal end portion of the bottom member. The end structure comprises a planar sidewall extending between the top and bottom members. The sidewall has top and bottom edges. The top edge is joined to the top structural member. The bottom edge consists of an inboard straightedge portion, an intermediate curved portion and an outboard straightedge portion. The inboard portion is joined along its length to the bottom structural member.

Abstract: A composite railway boxcar having a composite box structure mounted on a railway car underframe is provided. The composite box structure includes side walls, end walls and a floor molded as an integral unit with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. The composite box structure includes a roof mounted on the side walls and the end walls opposite from the floor. An upper load divider track assembly is provided having a pair of tracks with each track disposed between the roof and one of the side walls. A lower load divider track assembly is also provided having a track disposed within the interior of each side wall above the floor. A composite load divider panel is slidably mounted on the upper load divider track assembly within the interior of the railway boxcar. The load divider panel is releasably secured to the lower load divider track assembly to allow varying the position of the load divider panel within the interior of the railway boxcar.

Abstract: An improved end design for at least one predetermined end of a preselected railway type freight car which will enable such freight car to negotiate all of the track curvatures encountered in present day track structures while simultaneously enabling a plurality of such freight cars to be connected together to form a train consist in such a manner that will significantly reduce an overall length of such train consist. Such end design provides at least one predetermined end of such preselected railway type freight car having at least one of a convex shape and a double wedge shape.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for installing and securing auto rack side panels, either during manufacture of the auto rack railway car, or during refurbishment of the car, where covers are placed over components which clamp the panel corners. In a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein end portions of elongated dust closure plates are employed to clamp side panel corners against brackets to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the end portions of the dust closure plates and the side panel corners engaged by the end portions thereof, plate covers are installed over the end portions of the elongated dust closure plates so as to be disposed between the end portions of the dust cover plates and the panel corners, to avoid abrasion and rusting as a result of friction.

Abstract: An insulated composite railway boxcar having a composite box structure mounted on a railway car underframe is provided. The composite box structure includes side walls, end walls and a floor molded as an integral unit with fiber reinforced plastic interior and exterior surfaces. The composite box structure includes a first fiber reinforced composite unit and a second fiber reinforced composite unit. The first fiber reinforce composite unit provides the end walls, side walls and floor for the railway boxcar. The second fiber reinforce unit may be permanently attached to the side walls and end walls to provide a roof for the boxcar. The railway car underframe has a center sill, side sills and end sills with a generally rectangular configuration and coplanar surfaces for adhesively bonding the composite box structure with the railway car underframe. Mechanical fasteners are also provided to couple the composite box structure with the railway car underframe.

Abstract: A bumper panel having first and second attachment surfaces, a contact plateau and first and second sloped surfaces attaching the attachment surfaces to the contact plateau for application in an autorack railcar wherein the bumper panel is disposed to cushion the impact between a vehicle door edge and the side walls of the railcar.

Abstract: A railroad freight car of the center beam type, in which the upright center beam has a top chord interconnected with a bulkhead at each end of the body of the car, and spaced-apart upright columns and diagonal structural members interconnect the top chord with the center sill of the car body. At each end of the center beam an upper end of a diagonal bulkhead brace included in the center beam is attached to the bulkhead at an intermediate height, and a lower end is attached to the center sill adjacent one of the columns. In one version of the car a second diagonal bulkhead brace extends upward to the top chord from a location at an intermediate height on the bulkhead. The car may include inwardly sloping decks oriented normal to load bearing faces of the center beam, with the decks incorporating a unified structure of which a floor sheet is a load-carrying part and is supported by longitudinal stringer channels.

Abstract: A sidescreen securement apparatus for auto-rack railroad cars which may be installed by a single person working inside the car, thereby saving time and money, as well as eliminating the danger of falls. The sidescreen-roof securement device comprises a Y-shaped roof engagement member with a lower stem for securement to the sidescreen through one of its perforations with a blind fastener. A first sidescreen-sidescreen securement device takes advantage of the channels formed along the edges of the sidescreens. A channel segment slips into the edge channel of the upper sidescreen and is thereby secured to it. A U-shaped element is welded to the channel segment and a flange extends from the U-shaped member down to the adjacent lower sidescreen and is secured thereto by means of a blind fastener.

Abstract: A platform arrangement for an end structure of a railway well car having a well portion defined by spaced apart side structures, opposing end structures and a floor structure extending between the side structures. Each of the end structures has spaced apart sidewalls, with a horizontally disposed shear plate extending between and connecting to the sidewalls. Each of the end structures further includes (i) an upper bolster extending upwardly from the shear plate and connecting to the sidewalls; (ii) a bulkhead depending from an inboard end of the shear plate, which extends into the well portion and between the sidewalls to connect to them; and (iii) a stub centre sill positioned below the shear plate. The platform arrangement itself comprises (i) a first horizontal platform surface; (ii) a second horizontal platform surface; (iii) an outboard intermediate horizontal platform surface; (iv) an inboard intermediate horizontal platform surface: and (v) a foothold provided with the bulkhead.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body.

Abstract: A railroad freight car for transporting intermodal cargo containers. The railroad freight car comprises a structural frame having spaced apart side structures, opposing end structures and a floor structure. The side structures each have a top member and a bottom member disposed in a spaced apart relationship and extending longitudinally between the opposing end structures. The floor structure is disposed to extend between the respective bottom members of each side structure. The end structures each provide an inboard bulkhead, such that the side structures, floor structure and bulkheads together define a well for receiving an intermodal cargo container. The end structure further provides a longitudinally disposed stub centre sill having an outboard end for receiving a coupling means for coupling the railroad freight car to another railroad car. The stub centre sill defines a draft centerline positioned above the railhead at a predetermined height A.

Abstract: A rotary dump gondola rail car having side walls reinforced by vertical side posts. The side posts include a pair of vertical raised ribs projecting from the exterior face of the side walls for reducing wear between the side posts and a car dumper mechanism.

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.

Abstract: A gap closing device for closing the air gaps between the sidewall panels and the floor and/or the gaps between the sidewall panels and auxiliary floor panels or plates in an auto rack railroad car comprising an elongated strip of flexible extruded plastic material having a spine adapted to extend through the gap, a flap centrally connected to one end of the spine for closing the gap, and fins extending from the spine to lock the device in gap closing position. The fins may include a plurality of locking and/or pressure fins.

Abstract: A railroad freight car of the center beam type, in which the upright center beam has a top chord interconnected with a bulkhead at each end of the body of the car, and spaced-apart upright columns and diagonal structural members interconnect the top chord with the center sill of the car body. At each end of the center beam an upper end of a diagonal bulkhead brace included in the center beam is attached to the bulkhead at an intermediate height, and a lower end is attached to the center sill adjacent one of the columns. There is no solid plate extending from the top chord to the center sill and from the bulkhead toward the other end of the car. In one version of the car a second diagonal bulkhead brace extends upward from a location at an intermediate height on the bulkhead to the top chord.

Abstract: An improved gap sealing device for covering the gaps between horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels on auto rack railroad cars and between sidewall panels and supporting members. The gap sealing device is a single piece of extruded plastic having a head attachable to a flange of a sidewall panel and a tail or flap for biasing against the vertically adjacent sidewall panel, and a body that covers the gap to prevent air passage. The head includes inside and outside walls where the inside wall is hingedly attached to the outside wall by a live hinge and movable between open and closed positions to facilitate attachment of the head to the flange of the sidewall panel. A spring clip is placed over the inside and outside walls of the head to maintain and lock the gap sealing device on the flange of the sidewall panel. The gap sealing device may also be used to close the gaps between the sidewall panels and the roof, the floor, and vertical posts of the auto rack railroad car.

Abstract: A crossbearer connection (32) and method of forming a crossbearer connection (32) are disclosed, including a support bracket (34) angled to rest against an interior surface of a vertical and horizontal flange (54, 56) of the side sill (20) of a railway car (12), a projecting member (70) formed integral to the support bracket (34) having a male portion (78) and female portion (80), and where in the projecting member (70) extends through an opening (72) in the side wall (28), an exterior support member (76) having a base portion (90) and a male portion (98) which is sized to mate with the female portion (80) of the projecting member (70) and with the base (90) portion disposed against a portion of the exterior surface of the vertical flange of the side sill (20), and the male portion (78) of the projecting member (70) mating with a portion of the side stake (30) of the railway car (12), and a plurality of fasteners (106-120) for securing the support bracket (34) to the side sill (20) and the exterior support me

Abstract: An improved automobile transport railway car that is constructed from noncorroding materials adjacent to load carrying areas and that is enclosed by doors on both ends of the car. In the case of the articulated cars, a bellows assembly encloses and spans the ends of adjacent units. The car may be provided with two or more decks and has walls and a roof preferably constructed from nested, pultruded sections that are light in weight and are non-corrodible.

Abstract: A deck double plug assembly for plugging first inboard and second outboard deck holes in the deck of converted railroad autorack cars comprises a first plug connected to a second plug base assembly by a connector portion. The second outboard plug assembly is clamped to the deck to cover and plug the second outboard deck hole, whereby the deck plug assembly may be installed by one person. The method of installation from the top surface of the deck includes the steps of loosely assembling the second outboard plug assembly, holding the second deck plug assembly and pushing the first plug downwardly through the second outboard deck hole, inserting the first inboard plug into the first deck hole from underneath the deck, and clamping the second plug assembly to the deck surrounding the second deck hole.

Abstract: A railroad freight car including a longitudinal well for carrying intermodal cargo containers comprises a car body having longitudinally opposing end structures with body bolsters supported by railroad trucks adapted for movement along a railroad. The opposing end structures have stub center sills and couplers for coupling to other railroad cars. The car body has a structural frame comprising opposing side walls connected to the opposing end structures with bulkheads defining a well for receiving an intermodal cargo container. A plurality of transverse members with supporting brackets are located at the container support points and connected to the side walls at a lower edge thereof. Diagonal members and lighter transverse members connect the load supporting tranverse members to each other and to the end bulkheads to resist lateral loads and provide a safety support for the cargo container floor.

Abstract: The invention provides a railroad car adapted to transport bulk commodities such as coal, mineral ores, or the like yet efficiently and safely haul bladders filled with flowable commodities. The railcar includes a rugged bracing configuration which enables the railcar to readily transport bulk commodities in standard industry volumes, and within existing industry standards for material handling procedures such as flood loading of coal and rotary dumping of coal cars. The bracing configuration, floor layout, and car dimensions also permit the use of a maximum volume of bladders for effective hauling of materials in such bladders while avoiding undue wear and tear on the bladders. The bracing generally consists of at least one brace including a lower horizontal strut, an upper horizontal strut, and a generally vertical strut member. The bracing allows the railcar to handle bulk commodities such as coal while eliminating surges in bladders filed with flowable products.

Abstract: A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. The well floor structure includes reinforcing longitudinal and transverse channel members and horizontal top and bottom plates attached to the channels. Large circular openings, aligned with one another, are defined in both the top and bottom plates, and a peripheral ring of vertical material interconnects the margins of the top and bottom plates around the openings, providing a light but stiff floor structure with a small vertical height. A side sill reinforcing walkway structure is located atop each side sill at each end of the cargo well, but is low enough to avoid interference with handling trailers.

Abstract: A gap sealer for covering the gaps between horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels on auto rack railroad cars and between sidewall panels and the floor, roof or vertical posts. The gap sealer is a single piece of extruded plastic having a head attachable to a flange of a sidewall panel and a tail or flap biasing against the flange of a vertically adjacent sidewall panel, the floor, roof or post, such that the body of the gap sealer covers the gap to prevent air passage. The gap sealer may also include a bumper which protects vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels and risking damage. An individual bumper may also be used to protect vehicle doors, and be attached to a sidewall panel by a unique fastener.

Abstract: An improved articulated railway spine car unit for carrying highway truck trailers and/or containers has a center sill which extends substantially the entire length of the car unit. The center sill has end portions with upper surfaces depressed with respect to the upper surface of a longitudinally extended center portion. A retractable fifth wheel or trailer hitch is located on the upper surface of at least one end portion of the center sill. The upper surface of the trailer hitch, when retracted onto the center sill, is at substantially the same level as the center portion of the center sill. The raised center sill center portion both provides backup support for the floors of containers carried on the car unit, and also increases the center sill's structural rigidity and resistance to bending deflection.

Abstract: An improved automobile transport railway car that is constructed from noncorroding materials adjacent to load carrying areas and that is enclosed by doors on both ends of the car. In the case of the articulated cars, a bellows assembly encloses and spans the ends of adjacent units. The car may be provided with two or more decks and has walls and a roof preferably constructed from nested, pultruded sections that are light in weight and are non-corrodible.