Railway box car conversion to highway trailer-carrying flatcar and method of accomplishing it

摘要

A railway flatcar for carrying a highway trailer, the flatcar having been converted from a conventional railway box car. The sides, ends and roof of a conventional box car are cut and removed therefrom substantially at the floor line. The side sill assemblies of the car are reinforced substantially throughout their length. At the bogie end of the car, those portions of the out-board floor stringers spanning between adjacent cross ties and cross bearers are reinforced. The cross ties are also reinforced and/or additional cross ties added at the bogie end of the car. At the hitch end of the car, appropriate reinforcement and mounting means are located along the bolster and center sill to which a conventional trailer hitch is affixed. When the car is to be used with circus style loading ramps, the trailer hitch is of the retractable type and the floor of the car is left in tact throughout the length of the car, except at the position of the trailer hitch, with longitudinally extending curb members mounted above the side sill assemblies. When the car is to be used with overhead or side loading crane equipment, the trailer hitch may be of the rigid type; the car floor is removed from the hitch end of the car; and the floor at the bogie end of the car supports tire guides positioned to be straddled by the highway trailer tires. The brake wheel and support therefor are relocated to one side of the flatcar near the B end thereof.