A railroad car hatch cover assembly including a replaceable combined hatch cover protector and gasket that can be quickly and easily mounted to a hatch cover of the vented hatch cover assembly and easily and quickly removed therefrom. In certain embodiments, the combined hatch cover protector and gasket includes an outer sealing member configured to be positioned in a pocket of the hatch cover, an inner protector element holder, a protector element held by and secured to the protector element holder, and a dual connector connecting the outer sealing member and the inner protector element holder, and configured to partially facilitate connection to the hatch cover.

Cover assemblies for railroad cars are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cover assemblies include a cover pivotably movable between closed and open positions. The cover assemblies additionally include a lid stop assembly including a release handle positioned adjacent to a cover handle and a first locking element operatively connected to the release handle. The lid stop assembly additionally includes a second locking element attached to, or formed with, the housing. The first locking element moves between a locking position in which the first locking element engages the second locking element to secure the cover in the open position, and a releasing position in which the first locking element is spaced from the second locking element allowing the cover to be moved from the open position toward the closed position. The release handle allowing the user to move the first locking element between the locking and releasing positions.

Cover assemblies for railroad cars are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cover assemblies include a cover pivotably movable between closed and open positions. The cover assemblies additionally include a lid stop assembly including a release handle positioned adjacent to a cover handle and a first locking element operatively connected to the release handle. The lid stop assembly additionally includes a second locking element attached to, or formed with, the housing. The first locking element moves between a locking position in which the first locking element engages the second locking element to secure the cover in the open position, and a releasing position in which the first locking element is spaced from the second locking element allowing the cover to be moved from the open position toward the closed position. The release handle allowing the user to move the first locking element between the locking and releasing positions.

A manway cover assembly can be used to control access to the interior of a railroad tank car or other type of tank or structure. The manway cover assembly can have a tightening system, such as a screw tightening system and an attachment system. The attachment system can have a ledge configured to engage a flange that surrounds an opening. A cover can control access to the opening. The tightening system can secure the ledge to the flange and lock the cover over the opening. A manway cover assembly can also be used for selectively sealing an access passageway of a tank. The manway cover assembly can have an internal seal that remains sealed independent of movement between the cover and the opening within a set range of movement.

An automated hatch system tor a hopper railcar having a central longitudinal trough with coaming, having a unitary hatch cover; a plurality of guide rail, assemblies connecting one, side of the top of the railcar perpendicular to and adjacent a corresponding longitudinal edge of the coaming to the hatch, cover, wherein one guide rail assembly is positioned at each end of the trough and one or, more guide rail assemblies, are evenly spaced between the outermost guide rail assemblies; a cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the hatch and external coaming of the trough; and means for activating the cable network, to open and close, the hatch and to align the opposing ends of the hatch cover during opening and closing.

An automated hatch system tor a hopper railcar having a central longitudinal trough with coaming, having a unitary hatch cover; a plurality of guide rail, assemblies connecting one, side of the top of the railcar perpendicular to and adjacent a corresponding longitudinal edge of the coaming to the hatch, cover, wherein one guide rail assembly is positioned at each end of the trough and one or, more guide rail assemblies, are evenly spaced between the outermost guide rail assemblies; a cable network connecting the guide rail assemblies to the hatch and external coaming of the trough; and means for activating the cable network, to open and close, the hatch and to align the opposing ends of the hatch cover during opening and closing.

A hatch cover assembly for a rail car includes a gasket including a sealing wedge extending downwardly from a lower surface of the gasket. The sealing wedge is configured to sealingly engage a lip of a hatch ring. The hatch cover further includes a gasket retainer having one or more channels. The gasket further includes one or more upwardly-extending annular ribs retained within the one or more channels of the gasket retainer.

A hatch cover assembly for a rail car includes a gasket including a sealing wedge extending downwardly from a lower surface of the gasket. The sealing wedge is configured to sealingly engage a lip of a hatch ring. The hatch cover further includes a gasket retainer having one or more channels. The gasket further includes one or more upwardly-extending annular ribs retained within the one or more channels of the gasket retainer.

Various embodiments provide a hopper railroad car top hatch cover assembly including a hatch cover and a hatch cover securer configured to secure the hatch cover in a closed position engaging a coaming of the hopper railroad car. Various embodiments provide a hopper railroad car having a top hatch cover assembly including a hatch cover and a hatch cover securer configured to secure the hatch cover in a closed position engaging a coaming of the hopper railroad car.

A gasket that prevent leaks around the mating surface where two or more objects meet. The gasket includes a substantially planar horizontal top surface defining a body under the top surface; a substantially planar horizontal bottom surface substantially parallel to the top surface; a substantially planar vertical edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface to define the height or thickness of the gasket; and a step that is integral with the body and has an “L” shape defined by a substantially planar vertical leg and a substantially planar horizontal leg, the step having a bottom and ending in a substantially planar vertical edge that extends between the bottom surface and the horizontal leg to define the height of the step, with the bottom of the step flush with the bottom surface of the gasket. Also disclosed are processes for manufacturing and a railway car including the gasket.