Rail car extension system

An increased capacity rail car system comprising:

• an open top rail car comprising a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall that define an enclosure with an upwardly directed opening;
• and
• a rail car extension system comprising:
• a first main rail section mounted with respect to an upper surface of the first side wall, wherein the first main rail section comprises a first upper rail portion and a first lower rail portion that extends from the first upper rail portion;
• a second main rail section mounted with respect to an upper surface of the second side wall, wherein the second main rail section comprises a second upper rail portion and a second lower rail portion that extends from the second upper rail portion;
• and
• a plurality of bow structures that are each attached to and extend between the first main rail section and the second main rail section.

A method of increasing capacity of an open top rail car that includes a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom wall that define an enclosure with an upwardly directed opening, wherein the method comprises:

• mounting a first main rail section with respect to an upper surface of the first side wall, wherein the first main rail section comprises a first upper rail portion and a first lower rail portion that extends from the first upper rail portion;
• mounting a second main rail section with respect to an upper surface of the second side wall, wherein the second main rail section comprises a second upper rail portion and a second lower rail portion that extends from the second upper rail portion;
• and
• attaching a plurality of bow structures to extend between the first main rail section and the second main rail section.