METHOD OF CONVERTING A HOPPER TYPE OF RAIL CAR TO ACCEPT A WIDER OUTLET GATE

摘要

ABSTRACTMethod of converting a hopper type of rail car to accept a wideroutlet gate permits existing cars which are in over-supply to be made useful.The method requires that the opposed pairs of side slope sheets of the originalcar, and the opposed pairs of center and end slope sheets which are joined tothem to form the bottom portions of the hoppers, be cut apart. One of thepairs of slope sheets then has its width reduced at its lower end portion whilethe lower end portions of the other pair of slope sheets are cut away andreplaced by new slope sheet portions which are of greater width than theoriginal portions. After the mounting flanges for the original outlet gatesare removed, new mounting flanges which are wider is one direction and narrowerin the other, are located in a predetermined fixed position relative to theframe of the car, preferably by an assembly jig which is temporarily clamped tothe car frame. The pair of slope sheets which had its width reduced is thenbent outwardly into contact with the mounting flange. The new pair of slopesheet portions is then welded into position relative to the hoppers and thepair of slope sheets whose width was reduced. To relieve stress in the slopesheets which are bent outwardly, the seam about which they are bent relative tothe hoppers is heated.