Weld support for railway tank car underbody construction

摘要

A weld support (50) for use with a center sill assembly (16) for supporting a cradle pad (12) used to support the end of a railway tank car body (B). The center sill assembly includes first and second spaced apart side plates (18, 20) spaced to either side of the car body, and a top plate (28). The weld support comprises first and second support members (52, 54) installed on opposite sides of the assembly. A pocket (56) is formed in the center sill assembly on each side thereof. A respective weld support member is attached to the top plate adjacent the respective pockets, for the weld support members to extend above the upper surface of the top plate. The weld support members each provide a substantial contact surface with the cradle pad. Each weld support member also helps pool welding material in the respective pockets to effect a strong weld between the cradle pad and center sill assembly.