Tank car top platform closure plate

A closure plate for covering access to a space between a top of a tank car and a generally horizontal walking surface of a walkway platform coupled to the top of the tank car, the closure plate comprising:

• a generally flat plate comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein:
• the top edge is generally straight and corresponds to the generally horizontal walking surface of the walkway platform when the closure plate is coupled to an end of the walkway platform;
• and
• the bottom edge extends below the walkway platform and generally covers access to a space between the generally horizontal walking surface of the walkway platform and the top of the tank when the closure plate is coupled to an end of the walkway platform.

A method of installing a closure plate on a tank car, the method comprising:

• aligning a closure plate to an end of a walkway platform of a tank car, wherein the tank car comprises:
• a generally cylindrical tank for transporting a commodity comprising a first end and an opposite second end;
• a top platform coupled to a top of the tank and disposed between the first end and the second end of the tank, the top platform comprising a walking surface;
• and
• the walkway platform extends longitudinally along the top of the tank between the first or second end of the tank and the top platform and comprises a walking surface disposed above the line tangent to the top of the tank;
• and
• coupling the closure plate to the end of the walkway platform of the tank car such that the closure plate extends below the walkway platform and generally covers access to a space between the walking surface of the walkway platform and the top of the tank.