The sideframe (20) of a railway car bogie is constructed such that basic overall sideframe appearance is maintained, but the actual construction results in a more efficient use of the materials as a means of reducing the sideframe weight. This means that material is used according to how the stresses are encountered by the sideframe, dictating that the sideframe midsection is structurally heavier than the sideframe ends. Maximization of this construction is provided by shaping the entire sideframe into a solid, unitary cross-sectional I-beam shape. A solid top flange (30) of the I-beam corresponds to the typical top compression member while the solid bottom flange (40) corresponds to the typical bottom compression member. The solid vertical web (50), which interconnects the top and bottom flanges is a typical thereby allowing the web to absorb forces which would normally have to be absorbed by either top or bottom member. This feature allows the sideframe to be lighter, yet structurally stronger because the top and bottom members can now be cast dimensionally smaller. To take advantage of the weight savings even further, the I-beam shape has a structurally tapering thickness from the midsection to the ends and this corresponds to the loading experienced by the sideframe. The open, I-beam exterior allows for easier and more reliable inspection, as well as improved casting quality due to a substantial reduction in casting core usage.
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