Abstract: A covered hopper car including a plurality of hoppers adjacent one another along the length of the car, with a generally vertical stiffened bulkhead of sheet material between adjacent ones of the hoppers. The bulkhead may include a plurality of stiffeners of which each stiffener is a transversely oriented curved portion of the sheet material of the bulkhead itself, displaced from the vertical main plane of the bulkhead. A radius of curvature is great enough and all surfaces of the stiffener are steep enough that granular material will slide downward from the stiffener and all surfaces of the stiffener can easily be washed by a spray directed from a hatch opening in the roof of the covered hopper car.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced vehicle body structure includes a first frame made of fiber-reinforced plastic or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and having multiple sections, and a second frame that continuously extends from any one of the multiple sections of the first frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to projection welding of a second metal sheet above a first metal sheet (50), wherein the first metal sheet is of a non-ferrous metal or metal alloy having as main component aluminum or magnesium, wherein the first metal sheet comprises an elongate projection that locally extends above the main upper surface of the first metal sheet to come into contact with the main lower surface of the second metal sheet, wherein the projection comprises an upper surface having a convex first section (65) with a first radius (R1) that defines in its middle the top height of the upper surface with respect to the main upper surface of the first metal sheet, and a convex second section (64) with a second radius (R2) along both elongate sides that merge into the first section, wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius.

Abstract: A bodyshell of a railcar includes side outside plates, end bodyshells, and guiding plates. The side outside plate are located at both end portions of a carbody in a vehicle width direction. The end bodyshell includes an end outside plate and a corner post. The end outside plates are located at both end portions of the carbody in the longitudinal direction. The corner posts are located at four corners of the carbody. The corner post is joined to the adjacent end outside plate and the adjacent side outside plate. The guiding plate is provided at the side outside plate so as to cover the corner post from a vehicle exterior. The guiding plate includes an inclined portion and a joining portion. The inclined portion is provided in front of the corner post and inclined to the rear side toward the side outside plate.

Abstract: A bodyshell of a railcar includes side outside plates and end bodyshells. The side outside plates are respectively provided at both end portions of an underframe in a vehicle width direction. The end bodyshell includes end outside plates and corner posts. The end outside plates are respectively provided at front and rear end portions of the underframe. The corner posts are respectively provided at four corners of the underframe and are joined to the end outside plates and the side outside plates. Moreover, the corner post includes a side plate joining portion. The side plate joining portion overlaps a front end portion of the side outside plates from an outer side in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side outside plate.

Abstract: A hopper car has arcuate side sheets that are bent over the forming members of the structure to give a generally outwardly bulging shape. The upper margin of the side sheet is kinked inwardly of the radius of curvature of the larger portion of the side sheet more generally, such as may tend to impose a bending moment on the large, relatively thin side sheet panels. This may in turn tend to urge or bias those panels to a bulging position or shape, rather than a sagging, deflected, or inwardly dented position.

Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.

Abstract: A box car includes end walls joined to opposing side walls that define the interior cargo area. Each end wall includes a corrugated side that faces the cargo area. The adjustable spacer is arranged within a cavity in the corrugated side in a stowed position so that it does not protrude into the cargo area. The side walls include tracks in which opposing guides that support the lateral beam are slideably received. The tracks do not protrude into the cargo area. The guides include multiple holes providing keyways that receive removable locks. Vertical side posts are arranged along the exterior of the side walls. Holes are arranged in the side walls in the area of the side posts. The locks are received in one of the holes in the guides and a hole in the side wall to lock the adjustable spacer in the desired position relative to the box car.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in a joining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip end first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.

Abstract: An aluminum vehicle carrier railcar has an end door system attached to at least one end of an upper structure thereof including an end door pair, each pivoting about a vertical axis and having an inner and outer door member. The members move from an aligned side-by-side closed position to an open overlapping, nested position exterior and adjacent a railcar side. The members have the same exterior side facing away from the railcar in both the open and the closed positions. A linkage assembly extends from each pivot axis to the members, and each includes a pivotable main arm, an inner arm extending from the main arm to the inner member and an outer arm extending from the main arm to the outer member. Guides extend between the members and between the outer door member and the railcar to guide the relative motion of the members.

Abstract: The deformation element (1) of a rail-borne vehicle is disposed in the region of at least one deformation zone located on the end side of the vehicle and comprises at least one tubular hollow space, wherein a structure is attached in a replaceable manner in the rail-borne vehicle and is formed of two metal sheets (2a, 2b), of which at least one is designed as a profiled metal sheet (2a′, 2b′) and which are connected together on mutually facing cross-pieces (3a, 3b) which lie against each other thus forming hollow boxes (4a, 4b) extending in parallel with respect to each other.

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: The deformation element (1) of a rail-borne vehicle is disposed in the region of at least one deformation zone located on the end side of the vehicle and comprises at least one tubular hollow space, wherein a structure is attached in a replaceable manner in the rail-borne vehicle and is formed of two metal sheets (2a, 2b), of which at least one is designed as a profiled metal sheet (2a′, 2b′) and which are connected together on mutually facing cross-pieces (3a, 3b) which lie against each other thus forming hollow boxes (4a, 4b) extending in parallel with respect to each other.

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 railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.

Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle end sill or the like, in which lap joints formed by one side lap welding are not simply deformed or broken off. An end sill 1 is formed as a box type structural body which includes lap joints W1 which are formed by one side lap welding conducted only from the outer side. Edge portions 12a and 13a of face plates 12, 13 to be superposed on the surfaces 11a and 11b of the end member (intermediate member) 11 are formed as a zigzag shape. The end member has the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the direction along which the load is adapted to be applied to the end sill 1. Lap welding (one side welding conducted only from the outer side) is conducted along the edge portion 12a and 13a of the zigzag shape.

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: 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 railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.

Abstract: A novel door structure is provided for each end of a railcar in an articulated train. The train includes a plurality of railcars which are coupled together and spaced apart from each other a small distance. The door structure can be easily opened and closed even though the railcars in the train are only spaced apart from each other a small distance. A first embodiment of the novel door structure includes first and second door members, each of which have first and second panels that are hingedly connected together, which are attached to each end of each railcar. The first panel of each door member is foldable relative to the second panel and the panels are movable to lie adjacent to a side wall of the railcar. Structure is provided for connecting the door members to the sides of the railcar and for allowing the panels to rotate relative to the side of the railcar.

Abstract: An attachment for attaching the ends of concave floor panels of a gondola car to the center sill by a plate extending through the vertical cover plate of the floor panels and being affixed to the floor panels and to the center sill. The plate includes a curved contour adjacent the concave floor panels and is affixed by lock bolts to both the floor panels and to the center sill. Angle members affix the vertical cover plates to the ends of the concave floor panels.

Abstract: A curved sided aerodynamic self clearing hopper car uses the curved sides, end skirts and top chord and side sills for improved strength and reduced aerodynamic drag.

Abstract: A covered hopper railcar having an aluminum body portion comprising aluminum side, top and end sheets. A side sill is secured to the lower marginal portion of each of the side sheets. The end structure assembly includes a steel center stub sill assembly, a steel shear plate, steel body bolsters, and a pair of spaced-apart steel end stiffener members. The end stiffener members extend between and are secured at their bottom ends to the upper surface of the shear plate, at their top portions to the end sheet and side sheet, and at intermediate portions to the end sheet. The top portion of the end stiffener members is secured to aluminum connector plates, which plates are secured to the end sheet and a side sheet by huckbolts passing therethrough. The intermediate portion of the end stiffener members is huckbolted to an aluminum bracket which in turn is secured to the end sheet.

Abstract: A rail car enclosure having a bottom deck, sidewalls and a curved roof defined by at least one slope on each side connecting a flat top of the roof with the sidewalls and the deck connecting the opposite end of each sidewall to form an open end of the rail car. At least one intermediate deck extending between and connecting the sidewalls. An upper track mounted on the uppermost intermediate deck and a bottom track mounted on the bottom deck such that the upper track and bottom track curve around the sidewalls of the rail car. A plurality of panels hinged together at the marginal edges thereof to form a left and right door to slide on the upper and bottom curved tracks between a closed and stowed position. The doors parallel to the exterior of the sidewalls in the stowed position and standing substantially in one plane to fill the open end of the rail car in the closed position.

Abstract: Air flow guide members at each end of the cargo carrying structure of an open top gondola type railway car, together with rounded transition or corner surfaces on the exterior of the car and aerodynamically shaped and oriented cross braces within the car serve to reduce aerodynamic drag on the car as it is moved. Additionally, to further enhance the energy efficiency of the car, the cargo carrying structure is formed predominantly of a light weight weldable metal, such as an aluminum alloy, and the side support members are placed on the interior wall of each side to provide a smooth, minimized air flow resistant side surface.

Abstract: A rail car having a bed, sidewalls and a curbed roof defined by at least one slope on each side connecting the flat top of the roof with the sidewalls and an end opening. Substantially symmetrical doors close the end opening. The doors are hung such that each can be moved from a position closing a portion of the end opening to a stowed position substantially along the inside of a sidewall. The doors have upper gable portions that substantially entirely fill the upper portion of the end opening. The doors, when in the closed position, substantially stand in one plane. First and second sloped end portions of the roof at each side and near the end opening are arranged with the lower edge thereof parallel to the top edge of the sidewall and spaced a short distance therefrom. When a door is moved to the stowed position it extends upwardly through the space between the sloped portion and the sidewall.

Abstract: A railroad car arranged to transport automobiles comprises a floor, a roof, a pair of spaced side walls, at least one door assembly and means for guiding the door assembly to a position adjacent a side wall to enable loading and unloading of the railroad car. A rail secures the lower end of the door assembly, the rail being positioned along the floor of the railroad car. Extensions are attached to the door assembly and are in sliding engagement with the rail. The rail has two interrupted portions through which the tires of an automobile will pass during loading and unloading. The extensions attached to the door assembly are aligned onto the rail after passing through the interrupted portions during opening and closing by a pair of rail segments. The rail segments are spaced at an angle towards the rail and away from the interrupted portions and are attached to the floor at both ends of each interrupted portion.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the corner construction of a railway car, wherein the end wall, vertical reinforcing plate, side wall corner post and side plate are arranged with associated parts in a manner permitting an assembly without rotation of the car during manufacture. The structure provided includes a rigid connector plate which is attached to the end wall and forms a sandwich type transition member for attaching a flanged end of the side wall sheet.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the corner construction of a railway car, wherein the end wall, vertical reinforcing plate, side wall corner post and side plate are arranged with associated parts in a manner permitting an assembly without rotation of the car during manufacture.

Abstract: An auto railway car having a plurality of decks is provided with a pair of folding door structures for closing the loading end of the car. The doors are hinged on spherical bearing structures and include locking mechanisms for locking the doors in open or closed positions.

Abstract: An auto railway car having a plurality of decks is provided with a pair of folding door structures for closing the loading end of the car. The doors are hinged on spherical bearing structures and include locking mechanisms for locking the doors in open or closed positions.

Abstract: Very high demands are made on gondola cars which are emptied on rotating/tilting unloading devices. Such cars must provide long service lives even under these very rough conditions, and they should allow simple loading and unloading via a rotating/tilting device. In accordance with the instant disclosure, the high strength of the gondola car body is maintained in a simple manner in that the flooring sheets of the body are set into grooves in the longitudinal center sill, and into a groove in each inside of the lower side sills, and then welded to the said sills. Also the walls of the car may be set in different ways, as by setting them into a groove in the upper side of the lower side sills and into a groove in the lower side of the upper side sill, and then welded to the said side sills.

Abstract: An end closure for a rail car which comprises a pair of doors mounted for lateral movement from a closed position across the major lower portion of the opening in one end of the rail car to an open position. A panel is mounted above each door for lateral movement from a closed position across an upper portion of the opening in the end of the rail car to an open position. Each panel is connected to the door beneath it to cause the panel to be moved to open and closed positions by the corresponding movement of the door.

Abstract: A railway car having an end opening includes a swingable folding door assembly provided with a keeper mechanism carried by the door assembly and the adjacent side wall of the railway car. As the panels of the door assembly are folded from a flat, closed position overlying the car end opening to a collapsed, open position disposed substantially longitudinally extended away from the end of the car side wall, a guide rod carried by the door assembly is arcuately displaced to simultaneously horizontally shift a vertical locking pin to a position overlying an aperture in a lock plate whereupon gravity concurrently drops the connected rod and pin to secure the open door assembly in a fixed position.

Abstract: A rail car having an interior cavity and an end opening for loading and unloading lading is provided with a pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels, each pivotally movable with respect to the other for closing at least a portion of the end opening. Pivot means comprising a shaft for mounting each of the door assemblies are provided to move the door assemblies between their respective open position and closed position. The pivot means are mounted for movement toward and away from the interior of the rail car on a track to permit storage of the door assemblies within the rail car when their panels are folded back upon one another. The shaft is manually driven by means of a housing. A rack and a source of rotational power including a cooperating pinion mounted on the shaft act to guide, move and lock the door. The housing has a cavity into which one or more enlarged lever ends are inserted and secured before assembly of the housing to the shaft.

Abstract: A rail car having an interior cavity defined partially by vertical rail car side walls and a roof structure with an inwardly and upwardly directed portion to improve car clearance is disclosed. Access to the cavity for loading and unloading lading is through an end opening. A pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels, each panel of which is pivotally movable with respect to the others, are included for closing the end opening. Pivot means for mounting each of the door assemblies are provided to move the door assemblies between their respective folded open positions and unfolded closed positions. The pivot means are mounted for movement toward and away from the interior of the rail car to permit storage of the folded door assemblies within the rail car along the car side walls. Top panel portions extend from the top of the door assemblies angularly inwardly relative to the opening and in spaced relation with each other and the roof structure.

Abstract: An end underframe structure having an open box structure forming a rigid unit capable of receiving high torsional or other forces developed in a railway car and includes primary and secondary end sills connected by side buffer members. Additional buffer members connect the secondary end sill to a bolster. Draft sill means extend from the center of the primary end sill to the center of the bolster member.

Abstract: A multi-deck rail car having an interior cavity and an end opening for loading and unloading lading is provided with a pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels. Each door assembly is pivotally movable for closing at least a portion of the end opening. Double vertical pivots mount each of the door assemblies and are provided such that they move the door assemblies between their respective open position, storage position and closed position. The double vertical pivot means are cranks pivoted at either end to permit pivoting of the door assemblies for storage within the rail car, when their panels are folded back upon one another. A lock for the doors includes a rigid projection extending from the edge of a first one of the panels behind and past an adjacent edge of the second of the two panels and in register with a cutout in the adjacent edge of the second panel.

Abstract: An enclosure for a vehicle end opening disposed between two side walls includes a pair of bi-fold door assemblies, each comprising inner and outer panels hingedly connected to one another with the outer edges of the innermost panel in turn hingedly connected to a hinge rod normally disposed adjacent the outer limits of the end opening. Intermediate lock means are included with each pair of door panels for selectively precluding relative displacement therebetween and when actuated allows of folding of each pair of door panels to provide a collapsed juxtaposed relationship following which the folded door assembly may be pivoted about the hinge rod 90.degree. or until parallel to the vehicle side walls.

Abstract: An end closure for a rail car which comprises a pair of sliding doors mounted for movement between open and closed positions. One of the doors has a recess to clear a brake lever when the door is open. A panel is provided to close the recess when the door is closed. The panel is automatically moved to a position opening the recess when the door is opened and automatically moved to a position closing the recess when the door is closed.

Abstract: An enclosure for a vehicle end opening formed between two side walls includes two bi-fold door assemblies each comprising inner and outer panels pivotally connected to one another and with the free edge of the outer panels in turn connected to a fixed pivot point adjacent the side of the end opening wherein, each inner panel may be folded outwardly 180.degree. about its pivoted connecting means and the thus folded assembly subsequently pivoted about its fixed pivot point 270.degree. into parallel relationship with the vehicle side wall. The pivotal connecting means joining each pair of inner and outer panels includes catch means serving to secure the assembly in both the closed position enclosing the vehicle end opening as well as in the stored position parallel with the vehicle side wall.

Abstract: An end closure for a rail car which comprises a pair of sliding doors. Locking mechanisms provided for securing the doors in closed position extending across the end of the rail car as well as in open and in intermediate positions. Each door moves from closed to open position through an opening in the side wall of the rail car to an open space on the outer side of the side wall within the allowed rail car clearance.

Abstract: An upwardly-acting door structure is adapted to close an access opening of a body member, such as an automobile-carrying railroad car. The door structure includes a stationary track on either side of the opening, movable tracks mounted for upward and downward movement along the stationary tracks, an upper panel mounted on the movable tracks, a lower panel mounted to move upwardly and downwardly along the movable tracks at twice the speed, flexible chains arranged to interconnect the lower panel with the movable tracks, torsional springs arranged to counterbalance and support the aggregate weight of the raised movable tracks, and handles operatively arranged to raise and lower the movable tracks. The upper and lower panels may be raised to uncover the access opening, or lowered to cover the access opening.

Abstract: A rail car having an interior cavity and an end opening for loading and unloading lading. A pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels, each pivotally movable with respect to the other for closing at least a portion of the end opening. Pivot means for mounting each of the door assemblies are provided to move the door assemblies between their respective open position and closed position. The pivot means are mounted for movement toward and away from the interior of the rail car to permit storage of the door assemblies within the rail car when their panels are folded back upon one another. The means for moving the pivot means include a guide means in the form of a pair of parallel racks and co-operating pinions drivingly mounted on a common manually driven shaft, one rack and co-operating pinion each at the top portion and the bottom portion of the door assembly.

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.