According to some embodiments, a method of flashing a jacketed rail car comprises covering an opening in a tank jacket of a rail car with a first flashing piece. The opening permits a fitting to protrude through the jacket. The fitting comprises a base portion of a first perimeter and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter. The first flashing piece comprises a slot. The method further comprises bonding the first flashing piece to the jacket and to the base portion of the fitting, and bonding a vertical support piece to the tank shell. The vertical support piece extends through the slot in the first flashing piece. The method further comprises bonding the vertical support piece to the top flanged portion of the fitting; covering the slot with a second flashing piece; and bonding the second flashing piece to the first flashing piece and the vertical support piece.

According to some embodiments, a method of flashing a jacketed rail car comprises covering an opening in a tank jacket of a rail car with a first flashing piece. The opening permits a fitting to protrude through the jacket. The fitting comprises a base portion of a first perimeter and a top flanged portion of a second perimeter. The first flashing piece comprises a slot. The method further comprises bonding the first flashing piece to the jacket and to the base portion of the fitting, and bonding a vertical support piece to the tank shell. The vertical support piece extends through the slot in the first flashing piece. The method further comprises bonding the vertical support piece to the top flanged portion of the fitting; covering the slot with a second flashing piece; and bonding the second flashing piece to the first flashing piece and the vertical support piece.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a well component disposed between a pair of trucks. A pair of end sections are disposed at each end of the railcar. An end section comprises a well platform disposed near an end of the well component; an end platform disposed near an end of the railcar; and a connecting platform extending between the end platform and the well platform. A pair of ladders may be coupled to each end of the end platform. A first handrail may extend between the ladders and along an outside edge of the end platform. A second handrail may extend from a ladder, along an inside edge of the end platform, along an edge of the connecting platform, and along an inside edge of the well platform. A third handrail may extend along an edge of the well platform adjacent to the well component.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a well component disposed between a pair of trucks. A pair of end sections are disposed at each end of the railcar. An end section comprises a well platform disposed near an end of the well component; an end platform disposed near an end of the railcar; and a connecting platform extending between the end platform and the well platform. A pair of ladders may be coupled to each end of the end platform. A first handrail may extend between the ladders and along an outside edge of the end platform. A second handrail may extend from a ladder, along an inside edge of the end platform, along an edge of the connecting platform, and along an inside edge of the well platform. A third handrail may extend along an edge of the well platform adjacent to the well component.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a railcar body comprising at least one end or side arranged in a generally vertical plane. The railcar comprises a staggered ladder coupled to the railcar body and extending in a generally vertical direction. The staggered ladder comprises a plurality of steps that are staggered such that at least one step proximate a bottom of the ladder is offset from the generally vertical plane of the railcar body by a greater distance than at least one step proximate a top of the ladder. The railcar further comprises a staggered handrail coupled to the rail car body and proximate the staggered ladder, wherein a bottom portion of the staggered handrail is offset from the vertical plane of the railcar body by a greater distance than a top portion of the staggered handrail.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a railcar body comprising at least one end or side arranged in a generally vertical plane. The railcar comprises a staggered ladder coupled to the railcar body and extending in a generally vertical direction. The staggered ladder comprises a plurality of steps that are staggered such that at least one step proximate a bottom of the ladder is offset from the generally vertical plane of the railcar body by a greater distance than at least one step proximate a top of the ladder. The railcar further comprises a staggered handrail coupled to the rail car body and proximate the staggered ladder, wherein a bottom portion of the staggered handrail is offset from the vertical plane of the railcar body by a greater distance than a top portion of the staggered handrail.

According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the railcar. A well component supported by the pair of trucks is disposed between the pair of trucks. A pair of end sections are disposed at each end of the railcar. At least one end section of the pair of end sections comprises a well platform disposed near an end of the well. A step is coupled to the well platform and extends into the well component to facilitate operator egress from the well component to the well platform. A handrail is proximate the step, the handrail is sized to accommodate a hand of the operator. The handrail may be positioned above the step and below the well platform.

According to some embodiments, a method of improving weld fatigue performance in a railcar weld comprises identifying a railcar weld subject to dynamic loads; determining the railcar weld is prone to fatigue; applying an impact treatment to the railcar weld using transducer coupled to one or more pins, wherein the one or more pins are configured to contact the railcar weld without interference from other portions of the railcar. According to some embodiments, an impact treatment device for a railcar comprises a transducer coupled to one or more pins for imparting an impact to a railcar weld. The transducer and the one or more pins are configured to put the one or more pins in contact with the railcar weld without interference from other portions of the railcar. The transducer comprises one of an ultrasonic transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, or a pneumatic transducer.

A side entrance includes a step, a door frame, a door leaf, and a door pocket. A vertical frame included in the door frame and located close to a bogie includes: an upper vertical frame portion located above a floor surface; and a lower vertical frame portion located under the floor surface. The lower vertical frame portion is located closer to an inner side of the door frame than the upper vertical frame portion. A width of an upper step portion of the step in a car longitudinal direction is larger than a width of a lower step portion of the step in the car longitudinal direction.

A side entrance includes a step, a door frame, a door leaf, and a door pocket. A vertical frame included in the door frame and located close to a bogie includes: an upper vertical frame portion located above a floor surface; and a lower vertical frame portion located under the floor surface. The lower vertical frame portion is located closer to an inner side of the door frame than the upper vertical frame portion. A width of an upper step portion of the step in a car longitudinal direction is larger than a width of a lower step portion of the step in the car longitudinal direction.