Abstract: A floor assembly for a trailer includes a pair of longitudinally extending main beams, each having a first height dimension along a first longitudinal portion of the main beam and a second height dimension along a second portion of the main beam. The first height dimension being greater than the second height dimension. Cross members extend in a transverse direction between and connect the main beams. A plurality of floor members extend transversely between the main beams. The floor members including at least some reinforced floor members. The reinforced floor members have upper and lower walls and opposing side walls that define a rectangular cross-section and include a series of truss walls extending angularly between the upper and lower walls. The reinforced floor members are positioned on the upper surfaces of the main beams at least in part at the second height dimension.

Abstract: A pellet stove to heat the interior of a structure and provide a heating surface for cooking. The pellet stove has a hopper storing pellet fuel, a core assembly inside a stove enclosure, a primary burn chamber assembly for burning pellet fuel and an air venting system. The hopper gravity feeds pellet fuel to the primary burn chamber assembly. The core assembly has a burn chamber housing connected to a flame chamber by a burn channel. The primary burn chamber assembly has a burn basket and a fuel control mechanism to control the amount of pellet fuel burned in the burn basket. The venting systems draws inlet air into and discharges exhaust air out of the pellet stove, which is sealed to prevent drawing inlet air from or discharging exhaust air to the structure interior. Fire in the flame chamber can be seen through an exterior glass panel.

Abstract: A railcar includes a floor structure including: an underframe including a pair of side sills and a plurality of cross beams arranged between the pair of side sills; a plurality of floor panel receivers located above the cross beams, arranged with gaps in a car width direction, extending along the cross beams, and fixed to the cross beams; one or more seat receivers extending through the gaps in a car longitudinal direction and fixed to the cross beams; and floor panels covering substantially entire surfaces of upper portions of the floor panel receivers and an upper portion(s) of the one or more seat receivers from above and supported by the cross beams through the floor panel receivers and the one or more seat receivers.

Abstract: A loading platform for a wheeled vehicle. The loading platform comprises a frame extending along a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an elongated central shell having two spaced-apart elongated beams with an upper end and an elongated central plate secured to and connecting the upper ends of the spaced-apart elongated beams. The frame also comprises cross bracing assemblies extending on opposed sides of the elongated central shell, each one of the cross bracing assemblies including a plurality of intersecting bracing plates secured at a proximal end to a respective one of the elongated beams of the central shell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a deck framing system formed of light gauge steel. The thickness of the light gauge steel components may be different among particular components depending on the load carried by the particular component and depending on the forming method for fabrication of the particular component. The deck framing system includes a ledger in which bracket slots are formed. The bracket slots are spaced apart from each other along a length of the ledger. Each bracket slot receives a joist support bracket. Each of the joist support brackets are received within an end of a joist. According to certain embodiments, the joists are generally in a closed box-like shape. The deck surface is laid on top of and supported by the joists.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to hoppers for heavy trucks and, more particularly, to hoppers capable of being moved in parts and methods for assembly thereof. In some embodiments, such hoppers comprise a front part, a hood in two parts, two side front parts, two intermediate side sections, two side floor sections, two central floor sections, base plates being joined by welds and secondary joints joined by bolted flanges.

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 center sill for inclusion in a center sill assembly of a railroad freight car. The center sill includes a first main structural member of metal plate bent to a three-sided shape including a bottom cover and a pair of side web portions, and a top cover plate fastened to the side web portions to form a box beam structure. Horizontal filler plates that may be of thicker material are fastened to the bottom cover portion at the ends. Stub sills may be attached to the ends of the center sill to form a center sill assembly for a freight car such as a hopper car.

Abstract: A railroad freight car that may include multiple units, the body of at least one unit including a container well for carrying intermodal freight containers, the body including a pair of side sills generally of closed box beam configuration with holes and reinforcing rings and with longitudinally extending reinforcing members in the top or bottom, or both, of the beams. The ends of the longitudinally extending reinforcing members are tapered and have their extremities attached to a portion of a side sill web spaced apart from the extreme top or bottom members of the beam.

Abstract: The invention provides a railway car with superior riding quality by improving the flexural rigidity of the car body structure while suppressing increase of body structure mass. A reinforcing plate 7 is attached to a roof construction 1 on the side facing an inner side of the car body at a longitudinal center portion of a railway car body structure 10 composed of a roof construction 1, a side construction 2, an underframe 3 and an end construction 4. The range in which the reinforcing plate 7 is adhered in the longitudinal direction of the railway car body structure 10 is between two body bolsters 6, and the range in which the plate 7 is adhered in the horizontal direction of the roof construction 1 is approximately half the length of the roof construction 1 in the horizontal direction. The thickness of the reinforcing plate 7 is increased gradually as the height of the roof construction 1 in the vertical direction increases.

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 deep upper beam structure.

Abstract: A railway car having a lowered center of gravity is provided. The underframe of the railway car is preferably formed by extending a series of cross bearers between a pair of side sills and spacing them laterally between a pair of end sills. A center sill is then preferably disposed on top of the cross bearers and extended between the end sills along a center line of the railway car underframe. One or more floor stringers are preferably also included and disposed generally parallel to the center sill and extended between the end sills. In one embodiment, the one or more floor stringers may be disposed on stringer support spacer beams positioned on one or more of the cross bearers.

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: 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 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 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 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: 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: 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 configurations 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 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: The invention concerns impact-absorber devices, an impact-absorption method, and a framework and a vehicle including such impact-absorber devices. According to the invention, the impact-absorber device comprises at least one longitudinal member absorbing by deformation the energy generated by an impact in a given direction, which member is made from thin plate, having a generally triangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of impact. Applications to rail vehicles, for example.

Abstract: The invention concerns impact-absorber devices, an impact-absorption method, and a framework and a vehicle including such impact-absorber devices. According to the invention, the impact-absorber device comprises at least one longitudinal member absorbing by deformation the energy generated by an impact in a given direction, which member is made from thin plate, having a generally triangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction of impact. Applications to rail vehicles, for example.

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: 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: A rail vehicle body is made of stainless steel, wherein: the length members of the chassis and the roof battens are made of stainless steel, are constituted by section members that are continuous along the entire length of the body, and are visible; and the covering of the side faces comprises sheets of stainless steel that are smooth and thin relative to the thickness of said section members, the sheets being fixed by continuous leak-proof welding to the edges of the length members and to the roof battens so that the area of said metal sheets is as small as possible. The elements of the strength-providing structure are assembled together by weld fillets, and likewise the metal sheets are assembled to said strength-providing structure by weld fillets.

Abstract: A hopper trailer includes a mobile support frame and at least one gravity-flow hopper having an open-top upper box portion and a lower tapered portion. The support frame includes a pair of longitudinal channels laterally spaced from one another and a pair of front and rear channels extending transversely between and rigidly connected to the longitudinal channels at the opposite front and rear ends thereof. The longitudinal channels have respective planar structural portions directly engaged with opposites sides of the lower tapered portion of the hopper. The planar structural portions of the channels are disposed in respective planes which converge downwardly toward one another so as to thereby support the hopper in a cradled relationship therebetween. The support frame also includes a gooseneck towing tongue connected to the front end of the longitudinal channels of the support frame and a ground-supported wheel unit connected to and underlying and supporting the laterally-spaced longitudinal channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a railway car for hauling stacked containers. The railway car comprises a coupler and draft assembly having a vertical dimension that is substantially reduced over conventional railway car systems. The reduced height of the coupler and draft assembly allow three tiers of containers to be stacked on the railway car without exceeding A.A.R. height requirements.

Abstract: A substructure of the body of a vehicle such as a railroad car is formed by linking first and second beams with each other. The first beams are formed of first and second members each having locking grooves, and the second beams are arranged at intervals perpendicular to the first beams, thus realizing, for example a thin-walled substructure. By virtue of the locking grooves formed thereon, the first members allow the attachment of seats or the like, and the second members allow the suspension of underfloor equipment.

Abstract: The coach body construction comprises an upper structure having extruded profiles, which are connected detachably to one another by corner connectors and are made of an aluminum alloy, and a lower structure. The lower structure is composed of longitudinal and transverse supports which are made of an extruded aluminum alloy and are detachably connected to one another and to the upper structure by corner connectors. In interaction with the upper structure, it is of inherently sturdy construction. The corner connectors are, in particular, screw-on corner connectors.

Abstract: A car body of railway rolling stock suitable for use for passenger cars or electric passenger cars and easy to fabricate at a low material cost. An underframe constituting the car body comprises a center underframe produced at light-alloy extruded shapes and an end underframe produced of a ferrous material, and a roof framing, a side framing and an end framing which constitute the car body are composed of outer plate members produced of a ferrous material and frame members produced of a ferrous material.

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.

Abstract: A gondola rail car for hauling wood chips and the like having a pair of side walls, an end wall, a floor, an open end and an open top. A door assembly is pivotally mounted for swinging movement adjacent the open end. A ledge is provided to enhance access by an unloading vehicle. The car may be constructed from an existing box car.

Abstract: Railroad car for transporting transversely oriented cylindrical objects. The cargo bed of the car projects downwardly through the draft sills, interrupting the draft sills. The car has one or more troughs defined by pairs of facing cylindrical object support members. The support members at the front and rear of the car also transmit loads from the draft sills downwardly to lower longitudinal members which bridge between the respective draft sills. Also, a telescoping cover for a railroad car which covers the entire cargo bed during transport, and uncovers the entire cargo area at once without removing the covers from the car. Thus the entire car can be loaded or unloaded without shifting the covers. The front sections and rear sections of the cover telescope independently to the front and rear of the car, thus allowing the entire cover to be positioned outboard of the cargo bed when open while remaining on track means associated with the car. Removable one-piece and two-piece covers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A railway flat car having a depressed load carrying portion to reduce the center of gravity of the car. The flat car includes a side sill assembly having upper end section having floor portions and a lower intermediate section for supporting the depressed load carrying portion. The depressed portion is formed with an overall width less than the upper floor portions. The car is provided with an intermediate longitudinal center sill that merges with end draft sills having a larger width than the center sill.

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 segmented sliding sill wear plate for universal application to fit a variety of installations and which includes a metal base plate having a plurality of low friction plastic pads bonded to the plate in spaced apart relation, wherein a single long wear plate with multiple pads can be made without warping and can thereafter be cut to size and suitably secured to a sliding sill support member such as by welding or by fastening devices. Because of the size of the plastic pad, a wear plate cut to size can withstand a wide range of temperatures without causing delamination of the plastic material or warping of the metal base.

Abstract: An aluminum hopper car having a center sill hood which uses aluminum collar castings to connect cross ridge hoods which intersect a center sill hood, and to connect the center sill hood with intersecting sloped car end walls.

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 rail car is adjustable in length to accommodate the mounting thereon of cargo containers of various lengths and widths, such as the presently employed 20 foot, 40 foot, 45 foot and 48 foot lengths and 96 and 102 inch widths. Length adjustment is effected either by forming the rail car frame in two telescopic end sections, or by providing an extensible coupling tongue on one or both ends of the rail car frame. The rail car also may incorporate a collapsible fifth wheel connector for the king pin of a cargo container trailer chassis to accommodate transport of a trailer-mounted cargo container. The rail car also includes structure by which it may be manipulated by external lifting equipment to stack a plurality of the rail cars one atop another, either for stationary storage in a rail yard or for transport in a train to another location.

Abstract: A container carrying rail-highway vehicle in the form of a semitrailer chassis including an elongated center sill box extending longitudinally of the vehicle, a front box-type transverse sill attached to a forward portion of the center sill and a rear box-type transverse sill attached to a rearward portion of the center sill member. Two side beams are further provided and are attached at each end thereof to the front sill and rear sill, respectively, on either side of the center sill. The side beams are disposed from a generally higher position in the front of the vehicle to a lower level at the rear of the vehicle and are further attached to the center sill by a plurality of transverse outrigger members which extend between the center sill and each of the side beams.

Abstract: A center sill-less type gondola railroad car having an aluminum car body which includes an extra large load carrying compartment or container supported on a surrounding horizontal rectangular framework that consists essentially of a pair of transversely oriented shear plates at opposing ends of the car body, and a pair of parallel side sills which extend longitudinally between the shear plates and which are attached to the shear plates by special load transfer members, each of which members consists of two pairs of legs which extend radially from a common central juncture and which are designed to withstand the high stresses that peak at the spots where the members first contact the shear plates. The car body has a pair of oppositely disposed, upwardly curving side walls and a U-shaped, downwardly curving bottom portion which coact with a pair of stepped end walls to form the container which has an open top in spaced vertical relation above a closed bottom.

Abstract: A segmented sliding sill wear plate for universal application to fit a variety of installations and which includes a metal base plate having a plurality of low friction plastic pads bonded to the plate in spaced apart relation, wherein a single long wear plate with multiple pads can be made without warping and can thereafter be cut to size and suitably secured to a sliding sill support member such as by welding or by fastening devices. Because of the size of the plastic pad, a wear plate cut to size can withstand a wide range of temperatures without causing delamination of the plastic material or warping of the metal base.

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 railway car having an optimum length of 500 feet comprising two end walls, two side walls and a floor forming one continuous trough. The trough being supported at each end wall by wheel-containing truck means and at an intermittent section by a plurality of wheel containing truck means. The side walls consist of a plurality of side panels. The side panels are provided with overlapping means to permit relative motion between adjacent panels for maneuvering curves and hills. The floor includes a plurality of laterally and longitudinally extending slope sheets. The laterally extending slope sheets are provided with overlapping means to allow relative motion therebetween. A flexible center sill extends continuously the entire length of the railway car.

Abstract: Improvements in the body of a lightweight railway car are disclosed with one improved portion being a side sill formed from a metal plate having a plurality of short tubes welded thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom. A channel is welded to the plate and has a plurality of holes formed therein which are aligned with the tubes, with the metal removed to form the holes being substantially equal in weight to that of the tubes. The tubes are welded to the channel near the periphery of the holes. The side sills cooperate with body bolsters and container-engaging feet for handling a double tier of a variety of different sizes of containers.

Abstract: A railway car body structural arrangement has a bolster fabricated from plates and formed on the upper surface of a bottom closure member of the body of a railway car and rigidly affixed to a bolster post at each side of the car. The lower portions of the bolster posts are affixed to the bolster assembly adjacent to the upper surface of the bottom closure member to enable use of a continuous side sill member on the car. Bearing surfaces which limit the transverse angular movement or roll of the car body with respect to a truck are attached to and project downward from a lower surface of the frame of the truck which is supportingly and pivotally engaged with the center sill substantially directly beneath the bolster.

Abstract: A low-level freight car for carrying trailers and containers at a low overall height combines a low center sill with relatively light side sill assemblies to provide a rigid structure having low deflection characteristics under the expected buff, draft and vertical load combinations, while keeping overall tare weight to reasonable levels and providing an adequate safety factor.

Abstract: An intermodal apparatus for the rail transportation of containers with or without a highway chassis includes double axle rail bogies having a lower bogie frame and an upper platform section. The upper platform section includes a pair of connecting plates each having locking clamps for clamping to openings in the bottom corner castings on the front and rear ends of the container. A pair of spaced elongated push pull bars extend between two rail bogies adjacent the longitudinal sides of the container. The bars absorb the longitudinal forces exerted on the bogies as the trailers are transported along the rails to prevent the forces from being exerted on the trailers. The upper platform section includes a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering a container chassis combination.

Abstract: A light weight, aerodynamically efficient gondola car for hauling bulk cargo, such as coal, ores and grains, has a cargo carrying structure formed of welded aluminum. A side sill member formed of extruded aluminum has side and bottom connective portions which are continuously welded to the sides and bottom respectively, and a strength portion which remains substantially unwelded in assembly to thereby retain its full strength.