Abstract: Support frames and rail cars include first and second side drive plates, first and second cross members connecting the respective ends of the side drive plates, third and fourth cross members connecting the side drive plates at a select distance from the first and second cross members, a coupling assembly situated at the first cross member and adapted to connect another rail car thereto, and first and second diagonal support members connected to the first cross member at an angle sufficient to substantially direct forces from the coupling assembly to the third cross member and side drive plates. The support frames and rail cars may be used for conveying bulk materials on a rail transport system.

Abstract: A railroad car for carrying steel coils includes a pair of spaced apart supports located inboard of the sides of the railroad car. The supports have upper angled surfaces and the supports are arranged so as to impart a trough-shape cavity for receiving bottoms of steel coils whose central axes are aligned generally parallel to the length of the railroad car. The supports carry lateral loading of the steel coil as well as draft and buff loadings. Laterally extending wings are located outboard of the supports for engaging one or more overhead covers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight draft sill end casting for use with railroad cars. The cast draft sill has side walls, front and rear stops, front and rear rib sets and a center plate that are cast as a unit. The draft sill has an open area between the tops of the side walls between the front and rear stops, with a cast metal span connecting the two side walls. The cast metal span may comprise one or more spacer bars or part of a top wall. The cast metal span is in the area between the planes of the front stops and the rear stops. The front and rear stops are spaced below the tops of the side walls. In one embodiment, there are additional lightener holes in each side wall between the ribs in the rear rib set and in the pocket. The total weight of the cast draft sill is not substantially greater than the weight of a comparable fabricated draft sill of substantially the same size, and has a greater fatigue life.

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 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 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 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 car for carrying containers 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; supports for the bottom of a container, when in the well, comprising a plurality of metal castings joined to each side wall; and each casting having a substantially vertical leg joined at the bottom of a side wall and an arm extending substantially horizontally inwardly toward the center of the car on which a container bottom can be supported.

Abstract: A railroad car for carrying containers 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 side walls and end walls defining a well in which a container can be received; supports for the bottom of a container, when in the well, comprising a plurality of metal castings joined to each side wall; and each casting having a substantially vertical leg joined at the bottom of a side wall and an arm extending substantially horizontally inward toward the center of the car on which a container bottom can be supported.

Abstract: A unitary cast draft sill for welding to the center sill of a railroad car comprises a unitary cast structure with the following elements and features: A horizontal top wall has a pair of side walls depending therefrom with a bottom portion having flanges extending horizontally outward from the side walls. A vertical inboard end wall joins the bottom portion, the side walls and the top wall and has a transition element extending from the inboard side portion thereof to telescopically enter adjacent portions of a railroad car center sill. A center filler plate pocket is formed by the inboard end wall, portions of the side walls and the top wall and an internal vertical wall spaced in the outboard direction from the inboard end wall to form a cavity opening at the bottom portion to accept and mount a center filler plate in welded relation. Rear draft lugs are formed at the outboard side of the internal vertical wall and adjoin the side walls.