An apparatus, a vehicle and a method for securing intermodal cargo containers is provided. Couplers include pins and bottom supports to engage apertures and bottom surfaces of corner fittings for intermodal cargo containers. The couplers may also include sidewall supports to engage forward facing side surfaces of the corner fittings. The pins, bottom supports, and sidewall supports hold an intermodal cargo container in place through a relatively large range of acceleration forces without damaging the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers. The couplers are selectively movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers.

A large plate tilt railroad car including a plate support assembly having a plurality of spaced-apart plate supporters including a plurality of plate holders simultaneously movable from loading positions in which one or more large steel plates can be loaded on the railroad car to transit positions in which one or more large steel plates can be transported using the railroad car.

The invention discloses a dunnage bag arrangement for securing loads, includes an inflatable dunnage bag having a gastight inflatable bladder; and a hanger member connected to the dunnage bag and adapted to being supported on top of loads and adapted to support the dunnage bag in a void between loads. The dunnage bag includes a reinforcing sleeve made of at least one material ply, the sleeve having a first opening and a second opening, and the sleeve being folded and sealed and/or stitched to close off at least one of the openings.

Systems and methods are provided herein for modifying a railcar to transport containerized proppant. Various examples are provided, including: stripping a rotary gondola railcar, stripping a gondola hopper railcar, installing or modifying a floor on a stripped railcar, installing container braces on a floor of a railcar, installing braces between the side walls of the railcar, installing struts between the side walls of the railcar using the beam of the container as a strut, creating a mold for foam reinforcement of a railcar, installing foam reinforcement in a railcar, and transporting a container of proppant using a modified railcar. Although these examples are described in relation to a coal railcar, they can be modified to use other types of railcars as well. These examples can also be combined together to form a method for modifying a railcar.

The invention discloses a dunnage bag arrangement for securing loads, includes an inflatable dunnage bag having a gastight inflatable bladder; and a hanger member connected to the dunnage bag and adapted to being supported on top of loads and adapted to support the dunnage bag in a void between loads. The dunnage bag includes a reinforcing sleeve made of at least one material ply, the sleeve having a first opening and a second opening, and the sleeve being folded and sealed and/or stitched to close off at least one of the openings.

A strap protector that includes a first member having a first castellated edge, a ramp sloping down and away from the first castellated edge, and a first securing member extending from one inner wall towards an opposite inner wall, forming a strap opening between the ramp and the first securing member configured to receive a strap. The strap protector also includes a second member having a second castellated edge, a ramp sloping down and away from the second castellated edge, and a second securing member extending from one inner wall towards an opposite inner wall, forming a strap opening between the ramp and the second securing member configured to receive the strap. The strap protector also includes a pin disposed through the first and second members to pivotally connect the first member to the second member.

The invention discloses a dunnage bag arrangement for securing loads, includes an inflatable dunnage bag having a gastight inflatable bladder; and a hanger member connected to the dunnage bag and adapted to being supported on top of loads and adapted to support the dunnage bag in a void between loads. The dunnage bag includes a reinforcing sleeve made of at least one material ply, the sleeve having a first opening and a second opening, and the sleeve being folded and sealed and/or stitched to close off at least one of the openings.

A process for lashing containers with a power tool, a lashing rod (2) connectable to a container and a turnbuckle (1) connectable to a container transport vehicle. The turnbuckle comprises a first connection part (14) connectable to the lashing rod and second connection part (15) connectable to the container transport vehicle, the turnbuckle being rotatable around it's longitudinal axis (L). At least one of the connection parts comprises a tensioning part (144) for tensioning the lashing rod by adapting the overall length of the turnbuckle and lashing rod. The tensioning part is driven by a drive part (145) which is operated by a power tool. For lashing a container the turnbuckle is connected to the container transport vehicle and the lashing rod, which is connected to the container. The turnbuckle is rotated until the drive part is accessible by the power tool. Then, the drive part is driven by the power tool.

An apparatus, a vehicle and a method for securing intermodal cargo containers is provided. Couplers include pins and bottom supports to engage apertures and bottom surfaces of corner fittings for intermodal cargo containers. The couplers may also include sidewall supports to engage forward facing side surfaces of the corner fittings. The pins, bottom supports, and sidewall supports hold an intermodal cargo container in place through a relatively large range of acceleration forces without damaging the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers. The couplers are selectively movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers.

An apparatus, a vehicle and a method for securing intermodal cargo containers is provided. Couplers include pins and bottom supports to engage apertures and bottom surfaces of corner fittings for intermodal cargo containers. The couplers may also include sidewall supports to engage forward facing side surfaces of the corner fittings. The pins, bottom supports, and sidewall supports hold an intermodal cargo container in place through a relatively large range of acceleration forces without damaging the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers. The couplers are selectively movable from a retracted position to an extended position to engage the corner fittings of the intermodal cargo containers.