Motor-vehicle carrying railcar with offset h-frame

Abstract

A novel sidewall structure for a motor-vehicle carrying railway car wherein at least one upper deck is supported principally by longitudinal beams that are themselves supported by end structures, without the need for large, heavy vertical posts to support the decks between the end structures. To provide a lightweight car body with sufficient strength and durability for commercial rail service, the car body may be of monocoque construction. Each sidewall preferably has a plate girder structure that employs the horizontal beams as its principal supports, with the beams tied together by sidewall panels or plates. A plurality of light stiffeners may be employed to limit flexure of the sidewalls. Each of the end structures preferably comprises an offset H frame that includes a draft sill joined to a body bolster, and inner and outer cross bearers joined to the draft sill. In the offset H frame, the draft sill slopes downward and inward, with the inner cross bearer being at a lower elevation than the outer one. Vertical posts extend upward at the ends of the cross bearers to support end portions of the longitudinal beams. The ramps may be of compound configuration, comprising a plurality of generally planar segments sloped at varying angles to provide increased bottom clearance for motor vehicle ends during loading and unloading.