Abstract: A wagon has two side walls, two end walls and a base. At least a portion of one or each side wall has two side wall parts in the form of panels. Each panel has a respective constant wall thickness and is joined together. In some embodiments, the panels can be integrally formed. The side wall panels are also each of a different material thickness. A bridging member in the form of an angled bracket is arranged to interconnect the respective side wall panels by being separately connected to each side wall panel.

Abstract: A method of shortening an end of a well car includes removing a plurality of parts that would inhibit the shortening process; cutting a shear plate and a set of side sill angles at a location on the well side of the end assembly; detaching the end assembly from a main body of the well car; on each side of the main body: cutting the top tube at a location above a monument plate that is just beyond a reinforcement plate attached to the monument plate; cutting through a weld between the monument and reinforcement plates and a side sheet; cutting through the side sheet generally at the attachment location of the monument and reinforcement plates; and cutting the shear plate of the main body with a contoured cut such that the remaining shear plate has a contoured pattern substantially matching the cut shear plate under the removed end assembly.

Abstract: A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the sidewalls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the sidewall and overlapping the top chord.

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

Abstract: A joint connecting a container corner support assembly to a body bolster and a connecting assembly portion of an end of a container well unit in connection with shortening a container well of a railroad freight car intended for carrying an intermodal freight container. A connector member is welded into position, between a transverse gusset plate of a container corner support assembly and a closure plate of a connecting assembly, to transmit forces between the gusset plate and the connecting assembly associated with a body bolster in an end of the container well unit.

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

Abstract: A railroad freight car that may include multiple units, including a container well for carrying intermodal freight containers in the body of at least one unit and with the body including container supports, located in the corners of the container well, that include a cast metal base welded to a side sill of the car. A container support tower also welded to the side sill extends upward from the base and may also be of cast metal.

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 elongate diagonal structural members interconnect the top chord with the center sill of the car body. A top chord may be of formed plate including longitudinal stiffening ridges and laterally outer reinforcing parts.

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

Abstract: A gondola railcar having a plurality of side posts connected to the underframe for a high strength construction. The underframe includes a plurality of cross-bearing members having an upper flange, a lower flange and at least one vertical web connecting the two flanges. The upper flange has an opening disposed therein that receives the side post such that the side post abuts with the upper flange inside the opening. The side post also abuts with an end of the vertical web, and an end portion of the side post abuts with the lower flange of the cross-bearing member.

Abstract: A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.

Abstract: A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.

Abstract: A structural assembly defining a corner of a doorway for a railway boxcar in which a square-cornered doorway opening is provided and yet stress concentrations are avoided. A corner connecting member interconnects upright and horizontal doorway frame structures, but instead of including an angular intersection of vertical and horizontal surfaces defining the doorway opening, the corner member includes an arcuate concave connecting surface extending between the upright and horizontal surfaces defining the doorway opening. The arcuate concave connecting surface is located outside the doorway opening and extends around the location where the vertical and horizontal surfaces would intersect, so that there is no angular intersection to concentrate stresses. An insert fits matingly along the arcuate concave connecting surface and has an inside corner defined by surfaces that are located to extend the vertical and horizontal surfaces and define the corner of the doorway opening.

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 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: An improved 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 support bracket for domestic containers for the transportation of cargo on railcars is provided for giving support, to the attachment blocks which are used by cranes and loaders to pick and manipulate such containers, as well as to the framework members of the container which are adjacent to the attachment block.

Abstract: A railway gondola car having trucks for movably supporting the car on railway tracks includes a center sill and a gondola body supported by the trucks. The gondola body includes first and second ends, a first side, a second side, and a bottom assembly. The bottom assembly includes a trough disposed between the trucks and attached to the first and second sides. The bottom assembly also includes a generally hat-shaped stiffener attached to the trough, the first side, and the second side.

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 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 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 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: A railway car (10) is provided. Railway car (10) comprises hopper assemblies (18) having floor panels (22, 24, 26, and 28) that are angled at approximately 40.degree. or less. Floor panels (22, 24, 26, and 28) are fabricated from an aluminum material such that cargo may slide down floor panels (22, 24, 26, and 28) and exit hopper assembly (18) through an outlet (20) with relative ease while maximizing volume. Aerodynamic side posts (54) and improved side plates (58 and 60) which prevent water from entering hoppers (18) are also provided. An improved hatch (56), having first and second coaming portions (88 and 86) that are formed by a single extrusion process, is also presented.

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 connection members for attaching the upper portion of an inside stake of a gondola car to the upper chord and to the side wall. A pair of connection members are employed on the upper portion of the inside stake and compliment its configuration. Bolt and nut assemblies affixed the connection members to the upper portion of the inside stake member and the upper chord.

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 multi-unit articulated railway freight car defining a container well in each of the several units, with container support members attached to the side sills of each unit to support standard intermodal cargo containers at a location low enough to permit a second tier of containers to be stacked atop a bottom tier without exceeding the maximum height restrictions of most main railroad lines, although ample clearance is preserved beneath the bottom of the car when fully loaded. Each container support member is constructed of thick plate steel of high strength, formed cold to include residual internal stresses in order to resist failure when subjected to the loads imposed by supporting loaded containers carried in the container well. The side sill structures are of box tube and formed sheet construction of small enough width to permit carriage of newer, larger, sizes of intermodal cargo containers without the car or containers protruding outside the clearance available along most railroad lines.

Abstract: A container floor restraint for a freight rail car is provided. The car has a longitudinally extending center sill and a plurality of cross beams extending transversely thereof. The car further has a load supporting assembly at one end and a load supporting deck at the other. The container floor restraint includes a first pair of arms extending generally outwardly and perpendicularly from the center sill at a predetermined distance from the load supporting assembly, each arm being substantially opposed to one another. A second pair of arms extend generally outwardly and perpendicularly from the center sill spaced apart from the first pair of arms. The arms have outer ends extending substantially equidistantly from the center sill and are attached to first and second brace members. The brace members extend longitudinally alongside and generally parallel to the center sill.

Abstract: Center beam railroad car having a top chord, a parallel center sill below the top chord, columns joining the top chord and center sill, and diagonal tension members connecting the upper joint between one column and the top chord to the lower joint between another column and the center sill. In one embodiment, the tension member is pivotally secured at each end to the respective upper and lower joints, preventing fatigue failure of the tension member where it is secured to the joints. In another embodiment, at least one end of the tension member is secured to a joint between one end of a column and the center sill or top chord only after the joints are defined by assembling and joining the top chord, center sill, and columns. This method allows the tension members to be installed and to function substantially without tension in the unloaded, unused car and to accept tension loads when the car is loaded and operated.

Abstract: A railway well car for carrying containers of selected alternative lengths has a center crossbearer having a support for supporting the inner corners of two tandem containers, the support having side connections of sandwich construction with a flanged portion of a side sill, the sandwich construction being formed of inner and outer "L" shaped brackets disposed above and inside and below and outside a side sill of the car, respectively, and being fixed to the sill at respective upper and lower horizontal portions, the crossbearer being a tube formed of a lower channel closed by a top plate and the plate being at the level of the inner bracket, and the crossbearer extending from one side wall to a bracket on the opposite wall, and the inner bracket being wider than the outer bracket for improving distribution of loads to the side sills and the side walls.

Abstract: A railroad car, for carrying shipping containers, having a car body with opposing side walls and an end wall near each end defining a well in which a container can be received; support for a container, when in the well, comprising a plurality of spaced metal reinforcing elements or castings joined to each side wall and spaced inwardly from the well end walls; and each casting being substantially L-shaped and having a substantially vertical leg joined at the bottom of a side wall and the casting having an arm extending laterally substantially horizontally inwardly toward the center of the car to aid in supporting a container in the well.

Abstract: A railroad gondola car having improved side sills, internal horizontal tension braces and diagonal braces with cast metal connectors at the ends of the braces and doubler plates on the side wall post flanges for reinforcement purposes where posts are connected to the ends of the body bolsters and where the braces are connected to the car side walls opposite a side wall post.

Abstract: An adjustably positioned container guide and spacer device to be mounted on a side wall defining a container well of a railroad car for receiving intermodal cargo containers of different widths, the device acting as a guide during loading of a container into the container well, and acting to restrain a container, particularly one narrower than the width of the container well, to prevent such a container from moving laterally too far once it has been placed within the container well. A sloping guide surface and a blunt, convexly curved spacer nose surface of the guide body are presented so as to guide a container to the proper location within a container well, and the nose surface thereafter prevents the container from moving an excessive distance laterally within the container well when the guide body is latched in the correct one of the available inner and outer positions, as determined by the width of the container.

Abstract: An end structure for a railway car, and more particularly a covered hopper railway car, is disclosed which has side sill extensions extending diagonally inwardly from the ends of the side sills to the center stub sill for transmitting substantially all of the longitudinal, horizontal loads between the center stub sill and the side sills. A generally vertically extending truss is provided between the center stub sill and the end of the car above the center stub sill so as to withstand overturning moments and vertical loads between the end of the car and the center stub sill. The side sill extensions are tapered in heightwise and widthwise relation so as to minimize weight of these members. The truss includes outer vertical members which are curved so as to blend with the side sheets of the car body thereby to optimize load transfer. Inner truss members are of a convenient rectangular cross section so as to facilitate fabrication.

Abstract: A railway car comprises a center sill with a crossbearer, webs and end bolsters extending across thereof. A light side stiffener interconnects the projecting ends of said webs and spans between the bolster and the crossbearer. A shear plate covers a trapezoidal end frame extending from the bolster. The frame includes inclined braces buttressing a pair of cantilevered brackets projecting toward and horizontally overlapping similar brackets of the adjacent car.

Abstract: A new and useful top chord, and a new and useful container wall construction incorporating the top chord. The top chord has a tubular chord section and a special stepped stem integral with the tubular chord section. The stem has a relatively thick proximal portion connected with the tubular chord section and a relatively thinner distal portion extending from the thick portion. The thick proximal portion and the thinner distal portion co-operate to define a rectangular step having a predetermined thickness. The thickness of the step is designed so that the side wall can be closely sandwiched between the post and the thinner portion of the stem and the thick portion of the stem extends above the side wall and into facing relation with a portion of the post which extends above the side wall. The stem is bolted to the post and to the side wall with the thick portion bolted directly to the post and the thinner portion bolted to the post with the side wall sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A freight carrying railroad car including a body supported at each end by wheel-containing trucks; the body having a vertical center beam extending the length of the car between bulkheads at each end of the car; the center beam having a center sill, a top sill parallel to and spaced above the center sill, and a plurality of vertical spaced apart columns connected at their lower ends to the center sill and at their upper ends to the top sill; a vertical plate at each end of the car extending from the center sill to the top sill, and from the respective bulkhead at that end inwardly along the center sill; each vertical plate being joined to the center sill, top sill, bulkhead and a plurality of said columns such that opposed facing ends of said vertical plates are spaced from each other a distance of at least about 60% of the length of said car between the bulkheads; and between the facing end of each of the vertical plates and the car length center, at least one bracing bar extending diagonally downwardly, tow

Abstract: A railway car train comprises five car units. Each car unit has two end structures with a depressed well portion supported therebetween. A pair of side structures extend between the end structures and adjacent the well portion. A floor structure extends between lower portions of the side structures to form the bottom of the well portion. The floor structure includes an end beam extending transversely between lower portions of the side structures at the end of the well portion. The end structure includes a stub center sill connected to a shear plate member. A deflection member is secured to the inward end of the shear plate member. The deflection member includes a vertical wall portion and a sloping wall portion for deflecting containers into the well portion as they are loaded. The deflection member is connected with the shear plate member to form a transverse girder.

Abstract: A railroad car for carrying a container comprising a car body supported by rail trucks adapted for movement over a railroad; the car body having opposing side walls and an end wall near each end connected to the side walls with said side walls and end walls defining a well in which a container can be received and supported; and guides mounted along each side wall for effectively reducing the width of the well space so as to center in the well a container having a width significantly less than the well width so as to limit sideward movement of the container in the well when the car rocks.

Abstract: A freight carrying railroad car including a body supported at each end by wheel-containing trucks; the body having a vertical center beam extending the length of the car between bulkheads at each end of the car; the center beam having a center sill, a top sill parallel to and spaced above the center sill, and a plurality of vertical spaced apart columns connected at their lower ends to the center sill and at their upper ends to the top sill; a vertical plate at each end of the car extending from the center sill to the top sill, and from the respective bulkhead at that end inwardly along the center sill, each vertical plate being joined to the center sill, top sill, bulkhead and a plurality of said columns such that opposed facing ends of said vertical plates are spaced from each other a distance of at least about 60% of the length of said car between the bulkheads; and between the facing end of each of the vertical plates and the car length center, at least one bracing bar extending diagonally downwardly, tow

Abstract: A covered, dual hopper car made by converting a rail car having three or more covered hoppers suitable for carrying a large volume of a relatively low density commodity, to a car having a fewer number of hoppers suitable for carrying a smaller volume of a higher density commodity. This is done by internally bracing an interior portion of one end of one hopper end section; severing an unwanted center hopper section from two end hopper sections; removing the unwanted section; and then reassembling and welding the free end sections to each other. The vertical cutting and welding is horizontally offset at the side plate and the sill to provide tab and notch locking arrangements for reinforcement. Preferably, the roof loading hatches are also modified to include downwardly extending collar portions which limit the maximum loading height within the hoppers.

Abstract: An end structure for a center stub sill railway car is disclosed in which diagonal side sill extensions incline inwardly from the side sills to the center stub sill side for transmitting the longitudinal train loads between the stub sill and the side sills with the side sill extensions constituting the only horizontal, longitudinal load path between the stub sill and the side sills. A truss is disposed in a vertical transverse plane for transmitting overturning moments between the end of the car and the center stub sill.

Abstract: A freight carrying railroad car including a body supported at each end by wheel-containing trucks; the body having a vertical center beam extending the length of the car between bulkheads at each end of the car; the center beam having a center sill, a top sill parallel to and spaced above the center sill, and a plurality of vertical spaced apart columns connected at their lower ends to the center sill and at their upper ends to the top sill; a vertical plate at each end of the car extending from the center sill to the top sill, and from the respective bulkhead at that end inwardly along the center sill; each vertical plate being joined to the center sill, top sill, bulkhead and a plurality of said columns such that opposed facing ends of said vertical plates are spaced from each other a distance of at least about 60% of the length of said car between the bulkheads; and between the facing end of each of the vertical plates and the car length center, at least one bracing bar extending diagonally downwardly, tow

Abstract: An arrangement of stiffening elements, in particular for a railway goods car with a longitudinal beam on both sides of a trough under a base plate which supports sidewalls connected by a lower truss and end walls of a car superstructure with upper truss, the interior (J) of the car superstructure featuring a plurality of cross-ties. Said arrangement is such that a cross beam is connected to an end face of the trough and to the base plate, the longitudinal beam meeting said cross beam and forming an abutting surface with it. Resting on the cross beam are two lengths of hollow sections which project a length (i) into the lower truss. The trough features a floor and an additional floor which are joined by strips of material in a corrugated manner. The cross-ties are tubular shaped and feature towards their ends squashed regions which are accommodated in pairs of fish-plates to which the said cross-ties are releasably attached by suitable facilities.

Abstract: Top side chord attachment for the sides of bottom-discharge, open-top railroad hopper cars of the type with which top shakers may be used. Each car side comprises a vertically oriented side sheet, affixed at its bottom edge to a bottom chord in the form of the car frame side sill and affixed at its top edge to a top chord. A plurality of side posts having lateral flanges are arranged vertically along the car side exterior in parallel spaced relationship. Each side post is affixed to the bottom chord, to the top chord, and along its lateral flanges to the side sheet. The top chord comprises a beam-like member extending substantially the length of the side sheet and having a horizontal portion terminating at its longitudinal in-board edge in a downwardly depending leg lying along the inside surface of the upper edge of the side sheet. A pair of gussets are located to either side of the upper end of each side post, overlying the side post flanges and the adjacent portions of the side sheet.

Abstract: Large metal plates (120) located on each side of a railway hopper car are used to connect the hopper slope sheets (102, 104) to the car body sides (16) and longitudinally extending side sills (112). The large plates are generally "U" shaped and include legs (124, 126) which extend downwardly from the joint between the transverse bulkheads (14) and the slope sheets downwardly along each of the slope sheets. The plates are connected to the car body sides (16) to a smaller side sill reinforcing plate (121) and the side sill (112) with mechanical fasteners (128, 129) such as Huck bolts. The plate includes flange portions (132, 134) extending inwardly from the car body sides containing openings or slots (132, 134) to receive transversely extending reinforcements (140), preferably I beams (142, 142') which reinforce the hopper slope sheets and which are held in place adjacent, but spaced from, the car body sides and side sill with gussets (146) integrally connected to the large plates.

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: In a pressurized railway hopper car vertical and horizontal reinforcement members are strategically located relative to the car side plate to counteract the moment M caused by the internal pressure applied to the side sheets and to the roof. The vertical reinforcement member is spaced inwardly from the shear center of the side plate a distance determined by dividing the value of the moment M by the vertical component of the membrane pressure loads applied to the roof and to the side sheet. Horizontally extending reinforcements are provided extending between the laterally spaced side plates which are attached to the side plates at approximately the shear center of the side plate. With the horizontal and vertical members thus located, the vertical and horizontal reinforcing members will carry substantially axial loads only, essentially eliminating bending, and thus may be of reduced size as compared to the size which would be required if these members also carried bending loads.