The present invention relates to an equipment envelope (10) for a hopper wagon. The equipment envelope comprises a housing (11) that is configured to define an enclosed cavity storage space (12) in a bulk commodities storage chamber of a hopper wagon body, in which hopper wagon control means and/or other component parts of the hopper wagon (30) can be housed for use. The equipment envelope may be configured to be arranged in the chamber such that it is located above a hopper wagon bogie (40), preferably adjacent a closable outlet. The equipment envelope may comprise a first end wall (111) that is configured to extend at a predetermined incline angle towards the outlet. Depending on the configuration of the hopper wagon, the equipment housing may be configured to be located adjacent a further or alternative closable outlet. The equipment envelope may comprise a second end wall (112) that is configured to extend at a predetermined incline angle towards the further outlet. The first end wall and second end may be configured to meet at an apex (14) such that the equipment envelope has a cross-sectional profile of a triangle, preferably a scalene triangle. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a hopper wagon comprising at least one equipment envelope.

The present invention relates to an equipment envelope (10) for a hopper wagon. The equipment envelope comprises a housing (11) that is configured to define an enclosed cavity storage space (12) in a bulk commodities storage chamber of a hopper wagon body, in which hopper wagon control means and/or other component parts of the hopper wagon (30) can be housed for use. The equipment envelope may be configured to be arranged in the chamber such that it is located above a hopper wagon bogie (40), preferably adjacent a closable outlet. The equipment envelope may comprise a first end wall (111) that is configured to extend at a predetermined incline angle towards the outlet. Depending on the configuration of the hopper wagon, the equipment housing may be configured to be located adjacent a further or alternative closable outlet. The equipment envelope may comprise a second end wall (112) that is configured to extend at a predetermined incline angle towards the further outlet. The first end wall and second end may be configured to meet at an apex (14) such that the equipment envelope has a cross-sectional profile of a triangle, preferably a scalene triangle. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a hopper wagon comprising at least one equipment envelope.

A railcar system that includes a railcar and a nested sliding gate assembly disposed within the railcar. The nested sliding gate assembly includes an upper deck, a lower deck, and a driving system. The upper deck has a plurality of holes. The lower deck is positioned below the upper deck and has a plurality of discharge ports. The driving system positions the lower deck in a first position with respect to the upper deck, where the holes of the upper deck and the discharge ports of the lower deck do not align when the lower deck is in the first position. The driving system also positions the lower deck in a second position with respect to the upper deck, where the holes of the upper deck and the discharge ports of the lower deck at least partially align when the lower deck is in the second position.

According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position. The second input of the locking system is coupled to a second input of the operating cylinder. The second input is configured to move the discharge door to the closed position.

An open top gondola car includes top chord sections; a pair of end walls and side walls coupled to the top chord structure, wherein each sidewall includes a side sheet a plurality of side stakes and side sill; and an underframe construction including a center sill running the length of the car, bolsters configured to be above truck assemblies and coupled to the center sill and a plurality of lateral I-Beam cross bearers that extend from the center sill toward and stopping short of the inside of the side sheet, and wherein the cross bearers include vertical connection plates configures for coupling to side stakes which are positioned between the bolsters.

An open top gondola car includes top chord sections; a pair of end walls and side walls coupled to the top chord structure, wherein each sidewall includes a side sheet a plurality of side stakes and side sill; and an underframe construction including a center sill running the length of the car, bolsters configured to be above truck assemblies and coupled to the center sill and a plurality of lateral I-Beam cross bearers that extend from the center sill toward and stopping short of the inside of the side sheet, and wherein the cross bearers include vertical connection plates configures for coupling to side stakes which are positioned between the bolsters.

The use of short consists of powered and unpowered freight cars for moving cargo from its source to transfer facilities is described. The use of short consists of powered and unpowered freight cars can enable the efficient operation of unit trains. Single self-powered rail cars or short consists (up to about 25 cars) can overcome a number of problems associated with long unit trains such as dynamic instabilities, inability to stop quickly if needed and long headway time required between trains. A system of feeder trains (aggregators) to facilitate keeping unit trains in more or less constant motion is described. The use of gearing and shafts for power transmission from traction motors installed on various types of freight cars using the structure of the existing freight car truck is also described.

The present invention discloses a sidewall structure of a hopper car, including: an integrally formed upper side beam (1), an integral sidewall panel (2), an integrally formed lower side beam (3) and a lower sidewall (4), wherein the upper side beam (1) is riveted with the integral sidewall panel (2) at the lower side; the sidewall panel (2) is riveted with the integrally formed lower side beam (3) at the lower side; the sidewall panel is of a panel-column structure in which the wall panel is integrated with a side column, and the side column is arranged at the inner side of the car body; the lower side beam (3) is riveted with the lower sidewall (4) at the lower side. According to the sidewall structure of the hopper car provided by the present invention, because of the sidewall panel with the integrally built-in side columns, the strength reduction resulting from rivet holes is avoided, the increased weight and cost resulting from rivets are avoided as well, and since the side columns are built-in, the spaces between the side columns are utilized to increase the volume of the car body.

The present invention discloses a sidewall structure of a hopper car, including: an integrally formed upper side beam (1), an integral sidewall panel (2), an integrally formed lower side beam (3) and a lower sidewall (4), wherein the upper side beam (1) is riveted with the integral sidewall panel (2) at the lower side; the sidewall panel (2) is riveted with the integrally formed lower side beam (3) at the lower side; the sidewall panel is of a panel-column structure in which the wall panel is integrated with a side column, and the side column is arranged at the inner side of the car body; the lower side beam (3) is riveted with the lower sidewall (4) at the lower side. According to the sidewall structure of the hopper car provided by the present invention, because of the sidewall panel with the integrally built-in side columns, the strength reduction resulting from rivet holes is avoided, the increased weight and cost resulting from rivets are avoided as well, and since the side columns are built-in, the spaces between the side columns are utilized to increase the volume of the car body.

A covered hopper railcar includes a roof portion and a plurality of side portions coupled to the roof portion. The plurality of side portions and the roof portion at least partially define a longitudinal centerline axis and a transverse centerline axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline axis. The covered hopper railcar also includes a bottom assembly coupled to the side portions. The bottom assembly includes a plurality of bottom side sheets and a trough assembly coupled to the plurality of bottom side sheets. The trough assembly is substantially parallel to and substantially aligned with the longitudinal centerline axis.