Modular railcar underframe and top container

A modular top container for use with a modular railcar, the modular top container comprising:

• a floor panel configured to transport a lading;
• and
• a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel, the plurality of coupling apparatus configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar, wherein each coupling apparatus of the plurality of coupling apparatus comprises a recessed portion and the recessed portion is smaller than a corresponding protruding portion of the modular railcar facilitating movement of the modular top container with respect to the modular railcar;
• and
• wherein the floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

A method of coupling a modular top container and a modular railcar, the method comprising:

• providing a railcar, the railcar comprising:
• a modular railcar comprising:
• a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar;
• an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks;
• the underframe comprising a plurality of coupling apparatus, the plurality of coupling apparatus coupling a first modular top container to the modular railcar;
• the first modular top container comprising:
• a floor panel configured to transport a lading;
• and
• a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel, the plurality of coupling apparatus coupling the modular top container to the modular railcar;
• wherein the floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar;
• and
• wherein each coupling apparatus of the plurality of coupling apparatus comprises a protruding portion configured to couple with a recessed portion of the modular top container and the protruding portion of each coupling apparatus is smaller than a corresponding recessed portion of the modular top container facilitating movement of the modular top container with respect to the underframe;
• uncoupling the first modular top container from the modular railcar;
• lifting the first modular top container off the modular railcar;
• placing a second modular top container onto the modular railcar;
• and
• coupling the second modular top container to the modular railcar.