Flatbed railcar with a center support partition

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith, including
• (1) a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said base structure to provide lateral bending stiffness;
• (2) a plurality of diagonal brace members extending between said plurality of vertical posts to provide torsional stiffness, said plurality of diagonal brace members extending between adjacent vertical posts;
• and
• (3) a top rail which is located at an upper portion of said vertical center partition member, and which extends between said first and second bulkheads to provide vertical bending stiffness.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith, including:
• (1) a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said base structure to provide lateral bending stiffness;
• (2) a pair of intersecting diagonal brace members extending between said plurality of vertical posts to provide torsional stiffness, said pair of intersecting diagonal brace members extending between adjacent vertical posts;
• and
• (3) a top rail which is located at an upper portion of said vertical center partition member, and which extends between said first and second bulkheads to provide vertical bending stiffness.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith, including:
• (1) a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said base structure to provide lateral bending stiffness;
• (2) a plurality of diagonal brace members extending between said plurality of vertical posts to provide torsional stiffness;
• and
• (3) a top rail which is located at an upper portion of said vertical center partition member, and which extends between said first and second bulkheads to provide vertical bending stiffness;
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends above said planar deck a height amount which is less than a height amount of said first and second bulkheads.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith, including:
• (1) a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said base structure to provide lateral bending stiffness;
• (2) a plurality of diagonal brace members extending between said plurality of vertical posts to provide torsional stiffness;
• and
• (3) a top rail which is located at an upper portion of said vertical center partition member, and which extends between said first and second bulkheads to provide vertical bending stiffness;
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends above said planar deck a height amount which is less than a height amount of said first and second bulkheads;
• and
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends approximately eight feet above said planar deck.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith, including:
• (1) a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said base structure to provide lateral bending stiffness;
• (2) a pair of intersecting diagonal brace members extending between said plurality of vertical posts to provide torsional stiffness;
• and
• (3) a top rail which is located at an upper portion of said vertical center partition member, and which extends between said first and second bulkheads to provide vertical bending stiffness;
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends above said planar deck a height amount which is less than a height amount of said first and second bulkheads.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith, including:
• (1) a plurality of vertical posts extending upward from said base structure to provide lateral bending stiffness;
• (2) a pair of intersecting diagonal brace members extending between said plurality of vertical posts to provide torsional stiffness;
• and
• (3) a top rail which is located at an upper portion of said vertical center partition member, and which extends between said first and second bulkheads to provide vertical bending stiffness;
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends above said planar deck a height amount which is less than a height amount of said first and second bulkheads;
• and
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends approximately eight feet above said planar deck.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a flangeless vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith;
• wherein said vertical center partition member provides lateral bending stiffness, vertical bending stiffness, and torsional stiffness.

A railcar, comprising:

• (a) a generally rectangular base structure;
• (b) a substantially planar deck covering an upper surface of said base structure;
• (c) a plurality of rail wheel assemblies coupled to a lower surface of said base structure and adapted for engaging a railroad;
• (d) a first bulkhead member coupled to a first end of said base structure;
• (e) a second bulkhead member coupled to a second end of said base structure;
• and
• (f) a vertical center partition member substantially perpendicular to said base structure, located along a longitudinal centerline relative to said base structure, extending between said first and second bulkhead members, and coupled to said first and second bulkhead members in force-transference therewith;
• wherein said vertical center partition member extends above said planar deck a height amount which is less than a height amount of said first and second bulkheads.