A cover assembly for an open top railcar, the assembly having semi-rigid cover reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside the railcar or separate from it. The cover may be connected to the railcar with hinge-latches or linkage arms which permit the cover to be held flat alongside the railcar in an open position, or removed from the railcar during loading and unloading. A load grooming device shapes the load of a loaded railcar to a selected contour. Opening and closing of covers may be continuous and automated, using curved tracks, cranes or mechanical arms to engage and open covers, and conveying devices or vehicles to handle covers during loading and unloading of railcars.

A structure for a substructure includes a body, and an openable roof. The roof is displaceable at its edges along two longitudinal beams of the body. In a closed state, the roof closes a roof opening between the two longitudinal beams. In an opened state, the roof predominantly exposes the roof opening between the two longitudinal beams. Each longitudinal beam is supported in a height-adjustable manner relative to the substructure via at least one lifting assembly. The body is adjustable at least in height relative to the substructure depending on a height adjustment of the lifting assembly. At least one lifting drive is provided which displaces the body together with the roof in height relative to the substructure. The lifting drive applies a force in the substructure for compressing a load protruding beyond the substructure by lowering the body with the closed roof onto the substructure against the protruding load.

Described are cargo transport systems, cargo transport vessels that are used in combination with removable carriers that can be loaded and unloaded into the cargo transport vessel, and methods of using these systems, vessels, and removable carriers.

Described are cargo transport systems, cargo transport vessels that are used in combination with removable carriers that can be loaded and unloaded into the cargo transport vessel, and methods of using these systems, vessels, and removable carriers.