US3577933A

US3577933A - Lightweight railway container car

Info

Publication number: US3577933A
Application number: US781337A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ray L Ferris; William R Shaver; William P Manos
Original assignee: Pullman Inc
Current assignee: Pullman Standard Inc; Pullman Inc
Priority date: 1968-12-05
Filing date: 1968-12-05
Publication date: 1971-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-11

Abstract

A railway car of lightweight design consisting of a skeletal fishbelly structure having at opposite ends an end frame structure including a boxlike center sill. A boxlike transition structure connects the end frame structure to an intermediate structure which includes a pair of longitudinally extending spaced-apart webs having relatively narrow horizontal top and bottom flanges providing side sill members. The end structures include crossmembers which provide end sill platforms which support container brackets. Additional container brackets are supported alongside the side sill members for supporting containers of various lengths and a latticework structure replaces the conventional deck plate structure and is connected to the top and bottom flanges to stabilize the container brackets and the structure at the loading points.

Description

United States Patent 1,289,877 12/1918 Neikirk lnventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee LIGHTWEIGHT RAILWAY CONTAINER CAR 18 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl

Int.Cl Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 105/366, 105/416, 105/422 B65j l/22 1,970,915 8/1934 Mattem et al. 105/366 3,207,086 9/1965 Mowatt-Larssen et al. 105/414 3,357,371 12/1967 Gutridge 105/366 3,389,663 6/1968 Gutridge 105/366 Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Attorneys-Hilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell ABSTRACT: A railway car of lightweight design consisting of a skeletal fishbelly structure having at opposite ends an end frame structure including a boxlike center sill. A boxlike transition structure connects the end frame structure to an intermediate structure which includes a pair of longitudinally extending spaced-apart webs having relatively narrow horizontal top and bottom flanges providing side sill members. The end structures include crossmembers which provide end sill platforms which support container brackets. Additional container brackets are supported alongside the side sill members for supporting containers of various lengths and a latticework structure replaces the conventional deck plate structure and is connected to the top and bottom flanges to stabilize the container brackets and the structure at the loading points.

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IN VE N TORS RAY L. F E RFIIS WIL L IA M R. SHAVER WILLIAM E MANOS PATENTEUHAYI 1 I9?! 3577.933

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r k (.0 l 42 E l nv VENTORS t RAY L. FERRIS WILLIAM R. SHAVER WILLIAM R MANOS PATENTEUHAYHIBYI 3.571933 SHEET '4 BF 5 uvvE/vmRs RAY L. FERR/S WILLIAM R. SHAVER WILLIAM F MANOS v PATENTED am 1 19m sum 5 OF 5 IN VEN TORS RAY L. FERRIS WILLIAM R. SHAVER WILLIAM MANOS LIGHTWEIGHT RAILWAY CONTAINER CAR SUMMARY The railway car of the present invention is particularly designed for carrying containers in the so-called land bridge type of operation. This type of operation has to do'withthe transportation of containers by railway car overland from the Atlantic to the Pacific and vice versa for transport on container ships. Such land bridge operations utilize unitary container railway trains. The primary object of the present design is toprovide an improved lightweight container car particularly suited for such land bridge" operations.

In the operation as a unitary train the container railway cars are not subjected to humping and thus overspeed impacts are not a problem. Thus a container car can be builtof a light construction which yet will be durable for ordinary unittrain operations wherein end-of-cars impacts are not involved. The present design comprises such'a car whichhowever also has provisions in its structure that it can be utilized with end-ofcar cushioning in the event the container car is placed in interchange operation. In normal unitary train operations'coupler forces encountered are usually below800,000 pounds and thus standard draft gears are utilized and are effective for this type of container car. On the other hand, in interchange use the car would be equipped with an end-of-car cushion which would reduce the frequent overspeed impact coupler forces which are well over a million pounds to the safe level of operation.

In this railway car a lightweight design is achieved which consists essentially of a skeletal. fishbelly' structurewhich is provided at opposite ends with an end frame structure which includes a boxlike center sill. A boxlike transition structure connects the end frame structures to an intermediate structure which includes longitudinally extending spaced-apart websprovidingspread side sill members. The spread side sill members of the intermediate structure are supported by a latticework structure which consists of upper and lower spreaders connecting the side sill members and-including a lattice type of crossmember structure so connected-to the. upper sill members in the region of the container bracketsfor effectively reinforcing the regions where the forces are taken and thus stabilize the structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved railway container car;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of approximately'one-half of a symmetrical portion of the railway car shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portionof the railway car shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a bolster structure taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along theline 10-10 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is aside elevational view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 2;. and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a container car is designated by the reference character 10. The container car 10 comprises an intermediate structure 11 and opposite end frame structures 12 connected to the intermediate structure 11 by transition structures 13.

The intermediate structure 11 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending and transversely spaced upright beams or webs 14 provided at their upper ends with longitudinally extending substantially narrow flanges 15 providing side sill members. Similar flanges 16 are connected to the lower ends of the webs 14 and are coextensive therewith. As best shown in FIG. 2, positioned substantially centrally of the intermediate structure 11, there is provided a diaphragm wall 17 which is best shown in FIG. 10 and includes upper and lower transverse flanges 18 and 19 suitably connected to the longitudinally extending

flanges

15 and 16. A plurality of transversely.

extending upper spreader members 19 are suitably connected to the upper flanges l5 and are longitudinally spaced along the structure. Lower spreader members 20 are similarly provided and are connected in longitudinally spaced relation to the lower flanges 16. As indicated the upper portion of the intermediate. structure 11, as best shown in FIG. 2, is substantially open and dispenses with the customary top plate structure. Instead a latticework type of structure is employed which includes flat straps 21 extending in a diagonal direction and having their ends connected to the flanges 15 between the upper spreader members 19. Angle members 22 are similarly connected and extend in relative crisscross relation relative to the members 21. A plurality of single container brackets are suitably supported along the side sill members 15 in longitudinally spaced relation and at opposite ends of the intermediate structure 11. At the center. thereof, as shown in FIG. 2, there are provided double container brackets 24. The

container brackets

23 and 24 are provided with suitable container comer bracket engaging means schematically shown only in FIG. 2 and designated by the reference character 25. The connecting means may be of conventional design being suitable to engage the opening of corner brackets for securely maintaining the container on the brackets against longitudinal, vertical and transverse displacement. Such'devices may include suitable-locking means.

As indicated above the intermediate structure 11 is open at its upper andlower ends with the exception of the latticework structure. Adjacent each of the opposite ends of the intermediate structure 17 there is provided a top deck plate 26 which extends inwardly from opposite ends of t the intermediate structure to the second transverse spreader 19. As best shown in FIG. 8 the container brackets 23 and-24 are each provided with a supporting surface 27 which is substantially flush as indicated at FIG. 8'with the plate 26-and the flanges 15. In the region of the intennediate structure 11 where no top plate is provided the container brackets 23 also have their surfaces 27 flush with the flanges 15 of the structure. A supporting surface 27 of each

container bracket

23, 24 has also connected thereto a vertical flange 28' adapted to form a suitableseat for a container carried on the car. The

brackets are further supported on the webs 14 by suitable supporting bracket arrangements 29. Such bracket arrangement 29, as best shown in FIG. 8, may include gusset webs 30 suitably connected tovertically extending flanges 31-. In the case of the single container bracket 23, a single vertical flange 31 and web 30 are provided..However, in the case of the double container brackets 24, two of such webs and flanges are provided. Each of the supporting arrangements 29 further includes horizontal flanges or gussets 32. Each end of the intermediate structure 11 also includes a transversely extending vertical diaphragm wall 33 forming therear end of each of the transition structures 13.

Each transition structure 13 comprises inwardly converging webs 34 suitably connected to top plates'35 and bottom plates 36. A f ront diaphragm wall 37 forms one end of the transition structure 13 and at the convergence or juncture of the webs 34 thetransition structure 13 is connected to each end frame structure 12 which comprises a short center sill generally designated at 38.

Each center sill 38 includes vertical laterally spaced walls 39 suitably connected by top and

bottom walls

40,41. A longitudinally extending stringer 42 is connected to each of the bottom walls 41. The longitudinal stringer 42, as best shown in H0. 4, terminates at a vertical transversely extending wall 42' suitably connected to the webs 39 and to longitudinally extending parallel walls 43 having at their ends a bell-mouth opening 44. The

walls

43 and 42 provide a draft gear or hydraulic end-of-car cushion pocket generally designated at 45.

Each of the end center sills 38 also is provided with a bolster construction including a bolster center plate 46, best shown in FIG. 6. The bolster center plate 46 is suitably connected to the lower wall 41 and a supporting gusset structure 47 structurally reinforces the webs 39 in the area of the center plate 46. The support gusset structure 47 includes vertical transversely extending and longitudinally spaced webs 48 provided at their outer ends with diagonal plates 49 which are integrally joined with bottom plates 50 extending along the lower edges of the webs 48. A suitable tie plate 51 connects the flanges 50 to outwardly projecting flange portions 51' of the lower wall 41. Suitable reinforcing brackets 52 are provided on the webs 48. An angle bracket 53 is suitably connected to the flanges 49 at one end and extends horizontally outwardly on opposite sides of the center sill 38 and with upwardly extending brackets 54 also suitably supported on the flange 49 supports a pair of longitudinally extending structural pipes 55 having ends adjacent the transition structure 13 suitably connected thereto.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 4, the opposite ends of the car and specifically the end frame structures 12 have connected thereto a crossbeam structure 56 which provides an end sill platform generally designated at 57. The crossbeam structure 56 is suitably supported on the center sill structures 38 by means of diagonal truss members 58. The end sill platforms 57 provide for the operator's platform, hand brake mechanism, etc. customarily provided on the ends of railway flat cars. Further, the crossbeam 56 supports at opposite ends single container brackets 23 in longitudinal alignment with the brackets 23 provided on the intermediate structure 11.

THE OPERATION As best shown in FIG. 1, a container designated at 59 is supported on the end frame structure 12, the container brackets being suitably designed to securely maintain the said container against vertical or endwise displacement. The span of the side sill members is narrower than the width of the container and thus the container is in proper position for crane unloading or crane loading during the land bridge operation. The container car disclosed of course may include lightweight truck constructions suitably connected to the bolster structure shown, the truck structure not forming any part of the present invention. The pocket 45 may be suitably adapted for a standard draft gear or suitable end-of-car cushion.

Sufficient numbers and spacing of the container brackets 23 provide for the adaptability of the container car to containers of various lengths. An extremely effective structure is provided by the utilization of the end sill structures in the manner disclosed, the box type of transition structure, and the simplified yet very effective lattice-type structure disclosed for the intermediate structure of the car. The structures are designed for maximum strength with minimum weight.

We claim:

1. A lightweight open skeletal framework railway car for containers, comprising:

an enlarged intermediate center sill frame structure and reduced end stub center sill frame structures connected to opposite ends of said intermediate center sill frame structure by respective transition structures,

said intermediate center sill frame structure having side means including a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced-apart upright first deep web side sill members having upper and lower narrow horizontal longitudinally extending flange portions connected thereto,

upper and lower strap cross elements connected to and extending between said side sill members at longitudinally spaced portions thereof to provide upper and lower truss structures,

said intermediate center sill structure having greater horizontal and vertical dimensions in cross section than said end stub sill frame structures,

each said end frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending boxlike stub sill including transversely spaced vertical second web members and upper and lower plates connected thereto, said second web members having a vertical dimension substantially less than said first web members,

a crossbeam connected to ends of each end sill and projecting laterally outwardly to provide end sill platforms,

said transition structure being of a boxlike configuration including longitudinally spaced transversely extending structural elements connecting said side sill members to opposite ends of said end sills, and

container brackets projecting laterally outwardly from the intermediate structure and end center sills and supported on said side sill members and said end sill cross members for supporting containers thereon.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

each of said boxlike transition structures including a horizontally disposed plate connecting respective pair of side sill members to opposite ends of said respective end sill.

3. The invention according to claim 1, and

said transition structures including vertical third web members converging inwardly from said intermediate frame structure and being connected to said boxlike end sill, said vertical third web members diminishing in vertical dimension from connection with said intermediate frame structure to connection with said end sill and said second web members having a substantially lesser vertical dimension than said first web members.

4. The invention according to claim 1, and

said end frame structures including truss members connected to said vertical second web members and said crossbeams.

5. The invention according to claim 1, and

said upper and lower flange portions having upper and lower transverse spreader members respectively connected thereto in longitudinally spaced relation.

6. The invention according to claim 1, and

said container brackets of said intermediate section being positioned in pairs transversely aligned and longitudinally aligned and spaced.

7. The invention according to claim 1, and

each of said boxlike transition structures including top and bottom and sideplates having their outer portions diverging outwardly from a respective end sill structure toward the intermediate structure.

8. The invention according to claim 1, and

each of said boxlike transition structures including upper and lower plate members and side members diverging outwardly from a respective end sill structure to a respective end of the intermediate structure with the respective end sill structure having a central axis coaxial with the central axis of the intermediate structure, and

each of the end sill structures being centrally located in a longitudinal direction with respect to said intermediate structure.

9. The invention according to claim 1, and

including diagonally extending structural elements disposed in crisscross relation between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets of said intermediate sections, and

means connecting end portions of said diagonally extending structural elements to said flange portions adjacent said brackets of said intermediate frame structure.

10. The invention according to claim 1, and

said transition structure including upper and lower horizontal plates connected to said third web members to provide a boxlike structure.

II. The invention according to claim I, and

said transition structure including at the connections of said transition structures to said intermediate structure and at the connections of said transitions structures to said end sills, vertical transverse walls providing longitudinally spaced ends of said transition structures.

l2. The invention according to claim 1, and

said intermediate structure having substantially intermediate the ends thereof a transverse vertical wall connected to said upper and lower flange portions.

13. The invention according to claim 1, and

said transverse wall having upper and lower horizontal plate portion connected to said flange portions,

14. The invention according to claim 1, and

said transition structures including vertical third web members converging inwardly from said intermediate frame structure and being connected to said boxlike end sill, said vertical third web members diminishing in vertical dimension from connection with said intermediate frame structure to connection with said end sill and said second web members having a substantially lesser vertical dimension than said first web members, and

said transition structure including upper and lower plates connected to said third web members to provide a boxlike structure.

15. The invention according to claim I, and

said upper and lower flange portions having upper and lower transverse spreader members respectively connected thereto in longitudinally spaced relation, and

said spreader members being connected to said flanges adjacent the container brackets of said intermediate frame structure.

16. The invention according to claim I, and

said transition structure including upper and lower horizontal plates connected to said third web members to provide a boxlike structure,

including a bolster structure carried by each end sill between said transition structures and said crossbeams,

said bolster structures each comprising a plurality of vertical longitudinally spaced plates connected to said upper and lower plates of said respective transition structure and said second web members adjacent said upper and lower plates and projecting laterally outwardly of said end sill structure, and

a center plate connected to said lower plate between said vertical plates.

17. The invention according to claim 1, and

including diagonally extending structural elements disposed in crisscross relation between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets of said intermediate sections,

means connecting end portions of said diagonally extending structural elements to said flange portions adjacent said brackets of said intermediate frame structure, and

said diagonally extending structural elements disposed between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets comprising one angle member, and one flat strap member.

18. A skeletal railway car for containers, comprising:

an intermediate frame structure and end frame structures connected to opposite ends of said intermediate frame structure by transition structures,

said intermediate frame structure including a pair of Iongitudinally extending spaced apart upright first webs having upper and lower relatively narrow horizontal longitudinally extending flange portions connected thereto,

each said end frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending boxlike end sill including vertical second webs and upper and lower plates connected thereto,

said transition structures including vertical third webs con verging inwardly from said intermediate section and being connected to said boxlike end sill, said vertical third webs diminishing in vertical dimension from connection with said intermediate section to said end sill connection and said second webs having a substantially lesser vertical dimension than said first webs, a crossbeam connected to the ends of each said end sill and projecting laterally outwardly to provide end sill platforms,

a plurality of containers-engaging brackets supported in longitudinally spaced relation along said intermediate section and extending outwardly relative to said first webs,

at least a pair of container-engaging brackets supported on said crossbeams in laterally spaced relation and being longitudinally aligned with the brackets of said intermediate frame,

said brackets engaging portions of containers projecting horizontally outwardly of said vertical webs for securing the same on said car,

said flange portions of said intermediate frame structures having a relatively narrow width to provide a narrow side sill structure on said car,

said upper and lower flange portions having upper and lower transverse spreader members respectively connected thereto in longitudinally spaced relation,

said spreader members being connected to said flanges adjacent the container brackets of said intermediate frame structure,

said container brackets of said intermediate section being positioned in pairs transversely aligned and longitudinally aligned and spaced,

including diagonally extending structural elements disposed in crisscross relation between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets,

means connecting end portions of said elements to said flanges adjacent said brackets of said intermediate sectrons,

said bolster structures comprising a plurality of vertical longitudinally spaced plates connected to said upper and lower plates and said second webs adjacent'saidplates and projecting laterally outwardly of said end sill, and

a center plate connected to said lower plate between said vertical plates and said gussets.

Claims

1. A lightweight open skeletal framework railway car for containers, comprising: an enlarged intermediate center sill frame structure and reduced end stub center sill frame structures connected to opposite ends of said intermediate center sill frame structure by respective transition structures, said intermediate center sill frame structure having side means including a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced-apart upright first deep web side sill members having upper and lower narrow horizontal longitudinally extending flange portions connected thereto, upper and lower strap cross elements connected to and extending between said side sill members at longitudinally spaced portions thereof to provide upper and lower truss structures, said intermediate center sill structure having greater horizontal and vertical dimensions in cross section than said end stub sill frame structures, each said end frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending boxlike stub sill including transversely spaced vertical second web members and upper and lower plates connected thereto, said second web members having a vertical dimension substantially less than said first web members, a crossbeam connected to ends of each end sill and projecting laterally outwardly to provide end sill platforms, said transition structure being of a boxlike configuration including longitudinally spaced transversely extending structural elements connecting said side sill members to opposite ends of said end sills, and container brackets projecting laterally outwardly from the intermediate structure and end center sills and supported on said side sill members and said end sill cross members for supporting containers thereon.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, each of said boxlike transition structures including a horizontally disposed plate connecting respective pair of side sill members to opposite ends of said respective end sill.

3. The invention according to claim 1, and said transition structures including vertical third web members converging inwardly from said intermediate frame structure and being connected to said boxlike end sill, said vertical third web members diminishing in vertical dimension from connection with said intermediate frame structure to connection with said end sill and said second web members having a substantially lesser vertical dimension than said first web members.

4. The invention according to claim 1, and said end frame structures including truss members connected to said vertical second web members and said crossbeams.

5. The invention according to claim 1, and said upper and lower flange portions having upper and lower transverse spreader members respectively connected thereto in longitudinally spaced relation.

6. The invention according to claim 1, and said container brackets of said intermediate section being positioned in pairs transversEly aligned and longitudinally aligned and spaced.

7. The invention according to claim 1, and each of said boxlike transition structures including top and bottom and sideplates having their outer portions diverging outwardly from a respective end sill structure toward the intermediate structure.

8. The invention according to claim 1, and each of said boxlike transition structures including upper and lower plate members and side members diverging outwardly from a respective end sill structure to a respective end of the intermediate structure with the respective end sill structure having a central axis coaxial with the central axis of the intermediate structure, and each of the end sill structures being centrally located in a longitudinal direction with respect to said intermediate structure.

9. The invention according to claim 1, and including diagonally extending structural elements disposed in crisscross relation between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets of said intermediate sections, and means connecting end portions of said diagonally extending structural elements to said flange portions adjacent said brackets of said intermediate frame structure.

10. The invention according to claim 1, and said transition structure including upper and lower horizontal plates connected to said third web members to provide a boxlike structure.

11. The invention according to claim 1, and said transition structure including at the connections of said transition structures to said intermediate structure and at the connections of said transitions structures to said end sills, vertical transverse walls providing longitudinally spaced ends of said transition structures.

12. The invention according to claim 1, and said intermediate structure having substantially intermediate the ends thereof a transverse vertical wall connected to said upper and lower flange portions.

13. The invention according to claim 1, and said transverse wall having upper and lower horizontal plate portion connected to said flange portions.

14. The invention according to claim 1, and said transition structures including vertical third web members converging inwardly from said intermediate frame structure and being connected to said boxlike end sill, said vertical third web members diminishing in vertical dimension from connection with said intermediate frame structure to connection with said end sill and said second web members having a substantially lesser vertical dimension than said first web members, and said transition structure including upper and lower plates connected to said third web members to provide a boxlike structure.

15. The invention according to claim 1, and said upper and lower flange portions having upper and lower transverse spreader members respectively connected thereto in longitudinally spaced relation, and said spreader members being connected to said flanges adjacent the container brackets of said intermediate frame structure.

16. The invention according to claim 1, and said transition structure including upper and lower horizontal plates connected to said third web members to provide a boxlike structure, including a bolster structure carried by each end sill between said transition structures and said crossbeams, said bolster structures each comprising a plurality of vertical longitudinally spaced plates connected to said upper and lower plates of said respective transition structure and said second web members adjacent said upper and lower plates and projecting laterally outwardly of said end sill structure, and a center plate connected to said lower plate between said vertical plates.

17. The invention according to claim 1, and including diagonally extending structural elements disposed in crisscross relation between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets of said intermediate sections, means connecting end portions of said diagonally extending structural elements to said flange portions adjacent said brackets of said intermediate frame structure, and said diagonally extending structural elements disposed between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets comprising one angle member, and one flat strap member.

18. A skeletal railway car for containers, comprising: an intermediate frame structure and end frame structures connected to opposite ends of said intermediate frame structure by transition structures, said intermediate frame structure including a pair of longitudinally extending spaced apart upright first webs having upper and lower relatively narrow horizontal longitudinally extending flange portions connected thereto, each said end frame structure comprising a longitudinally extending boxlike end sill including vertical second webs and upper and lower plates connected thereto, said transition structures including vertical third webs converging inwardly from said intermediate section and being connected to said boxlike end sill, said vertical third webs diminishing in vertical dimension from connection with said intermediate section to said end sill connection and said second webs having a substantially lesser vertical dimension than said first webs, a crossbeam connected to the ends of each said end sill and projecting laterally outwardly to provide end sill platforms, a plurality of containers-engaging brackets supported in longitudinally spaced relation along said intermediate section and extending outwardly relative to said first webs, at least a pair of container-engaging brackets supported on said crossbeams in laterally spaced relation and being longitudinally aligned with the brackets of said intermediate frame, said brackets engaging portions of containers projecting horizontally outwardly of said vertical webs for securing the same on said car, said flange portions of said intermediate frame structures having a relatively narrow width to provide a narrow side sill structure on said car, said upper and lower flange portions having upper and lower transverse spreader members respectively connected thereto in longitudinally spaced relation, said spreader members being connected to said flanges adjacent the container brackets of said intermediate frame structure, said container brackets of said intermediate section being positioned in pairs transversely aligned and longitudinally aligned and spaced, including diagonally extending structural elements disposed in crisscross relation between longitudinally spaced pairs of brackets, means connecting end portions of said elements to said flanges adjacent said brackets of said intermediate sections, including a bolster structure carried by each end sill between said transition structures and said crossbeams, said bolster structures comprising a plurality of vertical longitudinally spaced plates connected to said upper and lower plates and said second webs adjacent said plates and projecting laterally outwardly of said end sill, and a center plate connected to said lower plate between said vertical plates and said gussets.