Auto rack rail car with end closure

Abstract

An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and upper deck. It is provided with a door for controlling access thereto. The door is a radial arm door, and has a ladder mounted thereon by which personnel can ascend the second deck when the door is open. A second ladder is mounted to the first deck so that when the door is open the second ladder is positioned to co-operate with the first ladder. The arcuate path of the door is free from overhanging obstructions. The door also has internal and external weld-free stiffeners member for enhancing the rigidity thereof. A roller mounted to the door permits the door to be moved between open and closed positions. The door may further include a lock. A guide member protruding from the door co-operates with a groove in the main deck which slidingly guides the door as it moves between open and closed positions to control access to the car.

1 . An auto rack rail road car comprising: 
 an auto rack body including a first deck upon which to carry automobiles, and a housing structure, said housing structure including a roof assembly overspanning said first deck;    said first deck having a first lock fitting;    said roof assembly having a gable end;    said roof assembly having a second lock fitting at said gable end;    at least one radial arm door operable to provide access to said first deck;    said door having a releasable locking apparatus;    said locking apparatus including a first locking member operable to engage said first lock fitting, and a second locking member operable to engage said second lock fitting.    
     
     
         2 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said locking apparatus includes an actuator connected to operate both said first and second locking members.  
     
     
         3 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said radial arm door has an arcuate portion and a tangent portion, and said first and second locking members are mounted to said tangent portion.  
     
     
         4 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said auto rack rail road car has a second deck mounted between said first deck and said roof, said second deck has a third lock fitting, and said locking apparatus includes a third locking member operable to engage said third lock fitting.  
     
     
         5 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 4  wherein said locking apparatus includes an actuator connected to operate all of said first, second, and third locking members.  
     
     
         6 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said first lock fitting has a drain.  
     
     
         7 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said first lock fitting is self-lubricated.  
     
     
         8 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said door is mounted to travel on rollers and one of said rollers is vertically adjustable.  
     
     
         9 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said door is mounted to travel on rollers, and one of said rollers is mounted on an adjustable eccentric member.  
     
     
         10 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said door has a ladder mounted thereto.  
     
     
         11 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said door includes a door sheet having an arcuate portion and a tangential portion and vertical stiffeners mounted to said door sheet, and a portion of said locking apparatus is mounted within one of said stiffeners.  
     
     
         12 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said gable end has a profile, and said door includes a flange conforming to said profile of said gable end.  
     
     
         13 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 12  wherein said door is movable to a closed position relative to said housing structure, and in said closed position, said flange overlies said gable end.  
     
     
         14 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 12  wherein said door is movable to a closed position relative to said housing structure, and, in said closed position, a seal is seated between said flange and said gable end.  
     
     
         15 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said door includes a portion operable to engage said gable end of said roof when said door is in a closed position relative to said housing structure, and, in said closed position of said door, a seal is captured between said door and said gable end of said roof.  
     
     
         16 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said gable end includes a non-corrugated roof sheet.  
     
     
         17 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said housing structure includes upstanding sidewalls and top chords surmounting said sidewalls; and said roof assembly includes roof sheets cut to conform to said top chords.  
     
     
         18 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said housing structure includes upstanding sidewalls and top chords surmounting said sidewalls; and said roof assembly includes roof sheets flush cut to fit said top chords.  
     
     
         19 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said housing structure includes upstanding sidewalls and top chords surmounting said sidewalls; said roof assembly includes roof sheets having edges seating on said top chords; and one of said top chords has a first leg providing a seat for said edges of said roof sheets, and a second leg extending inwardly of said edges and upwardly of said first leg; and said first and second legs of said top chord are joined by a re-entrant portion.  
     
     
         20 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 1  wherein said first deck includes a deck plate greater than  {fraction (3/4)} inches thick.    
     
     
         21 . The auto rack rail road car of  claim 20  wherein said deck plate has a guide channel formed therein, said guide channel being engaged by said door.  
     
     
         22 . An auto rack rail road car comprising: 
 an auto rack body including a first deck upon which to carry automobiles, and a housing structure, said housing structure including a roof assembly overspanning said first deck;    said first deck having a first lock fitting;    said roof assembly having a gable end;    said roof assembly having a second lock fitting at said gable end;    at least one door operable to provide access to said housing structure;    said door having a releasable locking apparatus;    said locking apparatus including a first locking member operable to engage said first lock fitting, and a second locking member operable to engage said second lock fitting.    
     
     
         23 . An auto rack rail road car comprising a body having a deck structure for transporting automobiles, and a housing structure enclosing the deck structure; the housing structure including upstanding sidewalls surmounted by top chords, said top chords being surmounted by a gabled roof assembly having corrugated roof panels assembled in the form of a downwardly open U-shape, and said gabled roof assembly includes non-corrugated end sheets.  
     
     
         24 . The autorack rail road car of  claim 23  wherein: 
 said top chords have a first leg and a second leg;    said second leg extends upwardly and inwardly of said first leg;    said roof assembly includes corrugated sheets having edges cut to abut flush with said first leg of said top chord; and    said second leg of said top chord extending to a greater height than said first leg.