DROPPED DECK CENTER BEAM RAIL ROAD CAR WITH SHALLOW CENTER SILL

摘要

A center beam rail road car has a center sill that runs along the car from endto end. Thecenter sill is dog-legged, having end portions mounted over rail car trucks,and a downwardlystepped central portion between the trucks. A central beam assembly standsupwardly of thecenter sill. A lading supporting deck structure extends laterally to eitherside of the center sill.The deck structure has a depressed medial portion between the trucks, andraised end portionsover the trucks. The deck portions have lading bearing interfaces. The medialportion of thecenter sill has a top flange that is carried at a height that lies flush with,or below, the level of thelading bearing interface of the medial portion of the center sill. In oneembodiment, a columnmember for carrying buff and draft loads is spaced upwardly from the medialportion of thecenter sill. The car may be constructed in a version having a top truss, orhaving a top chordmember that lies within the profile of vertical posts of the central beamassembly. Inembodiments having a narrow top chord, the car may be provided with a topchord cover.