Patent Publication Number: US-6910428-B2

Title: Undercar assembly for a railcar

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The above-referenced application is based on U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/361,058, filed Mar. 1, 2002. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to railcars in general and, in particular, to an undercar assembly for a railcar that features a longitudinal structural member for supporting auxiliary equipment, such as air compressors, electrical boxes, reservoirs, etc. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is well known that, on trains and other types of railroad vehicles, there is a limited amount of available space, and this space must be divided between space for transporting people and/or goods, and space for the machinery and equipment operating the vehicle. The more this available space is taken up by the machinery and equipment required to operate the railroad vehicle, the less space there is to fulfill the commercial objective of the railroad vehicle, be it the transportation of people or goods, among other possibilities. 
   In order to more efficiently use the available space on a railroad vehicle, the underside of railcars are routinely used to support and transport auxiliary equipment, such as reservoirs, air compressors and electrical equipment. The associated compressed air hoses and electrical cables, including both high and low power cables, that may run from one end of the railcar to the other, are routed through the railcar ducts. 
   Typically, the underside of a railcar, also referred to as the undercar, is provided with a plurality of transverse beams extending between the sides of the railcar. These transverse beams, also known as stiffeners, serve to support and reinforce the floor of the railcar. In existing undercar assemblies, auxiliary equipment is supported on the underside of the railcar by means of small beams that are connected to the stiffeners, the small beams extending longitudinally between the stiffeners at various different locations. Brackets are welded to these small beams for receiving and holding the auxiliary equipment. 
   Unfortunately, the existing undercar assemblies for supporting auxiliary equipment on the underside of railcars lack any form of standardization. Rather the existing assemblies are complicated and, as a result, heavy and quite expensive to manufacture, install and maintain. In particular, the existing assemblies do not adapt well to different equipment layouts and situations. 
   The background information provided above clearly indicates that there exists a need in the industry to provide an improved undercar assembly for railcars for overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one broad aspect, the invention provides an undercar assembly for a railroad car. The undercar assembly has a structural member extending longitudinally between the longitudinal sides of the railroad car, where this structural member includes a pair of longitudinally extending beam elements transversely spaced apart from one another. At least one auxiliary equipment bay is defined between the longitudinally extending structural member and one of the longitudinal sides of the railroad car. The auxiliary equipment bay is capable to receive at least one auxiliary equipment, the structural member being operative to support at least in part the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bay. 
   Advantageously, the undercar assembly provides a standardized mounting system that can accept different types of auxiliary equipment. Each auxiliary equipment includes a standard set of support brackets, at least one of which is received and supported by the structural member of the undercar assembly such that the auxiliary equipment may be suspended in the auxiliary equipment bay. 
   In a non-limiting example of implementation, the undercar assembly includes a pair of longitudinally extending beam members, each beam member being adjacent to a respective longitudinal side of the railcar. The structural member, which extends along a major portion of the length of the railcar, is positioned between the longitudinal sides of the railcar and, with the beam members, defines two longitudinally extending auxiliary equipment bays. The structural member is located at midpoint between the beam members, such that the auxiliary equipment bays are of identical size. It is also possible to locate the structural member closer to one of the beam members, creating one equipment bay of larger dimensions that the other equipment bay. The structural member may also be positioned diagonally, such that the equipment bays vary in width along their length. 
   The structural member includes a pair of transversally spaced beam elements that are parallel to one another along the entire length of the structural member. This parallel relationship is not essential; the beam elements may be positioned such that at different longitudinal positions, the distance between the beam elements varies. Each beam element of the structural member includes a plurality of receiving surfaces for supporting auxiliary equipment in the respective auxiliary equipment bay. These receiving surfaces are spaced apart and located at specific longitudinal positions along each beam element. In one example, each receiving surface of the structural member is a platform that extends laterally from one of the beam elements into the respective auxiliary equipment bay. The platforms are fixedly attached to the beam elements, for example using mechanical fasteners or adhesives, or through welding, among other possibilities. 
   The beam elements of the structural member define therebetween a conduit for receiving transmission lines, such as electrical cables and fluid hoses, connected to the various auxiliary equipment mounted in the auxiliary equipment bays. In a specific example, this conduit includes a first section for receiving low power electrical cables and a second section for receiving higher power electrical cables. 
   The auxiliary equipment bays may hold different types of auxiliary equipment. Examples of such auxiliary equipment include air compressors, compressed air tanks, electrical/electronic equipment boxes, and air conditioning units, among many other possibilities. Each auxiliary equipment to be mounted in the auxiliary equipment bays, regardless of the type or size of the equipment, includes a bracket set. The bracket set is formed of primary and secondary support brackets, located on the auxiliary equipment in a substantially opposing relationship. These support brackets are common to all auxiliary equipment to be mounted on the underside of the railcar. Note however that the position of the support brackets on the auxiliary equipment may vary from one auxiliary equipment to another. The support brackets are firmly fastened to the auxiliary equipment by welding or by any suitable fasteners, such as bolts or screws, among others. 
   The structural member is operative to engage the primary support bracket of each auxiliary equipment for supporting and holding the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bays. More specifically, each receiving surface of each beam element of the structural member is capable to engage and support a primary support bracket of an auxiliary equipment. The secondary support bracket of each auxiliary equipment is engaged and supported by a receiving surface located adjacent one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar, such that the auxiliary equipment is securely held in the respective auxiliary equipment bay. In one example, a platform attached to one of the beam members located along the sides of the railcar serves to support the secondary support bracket of an auxiliary equipment when mounted in the respective auxiliary equipment bay. 
   In a variant example of implementation, the undercar assembly does not include beam members. In this case, each auxiliary equipment bay is defined between the structural member and one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar. Accordingly, while the primary support bracket of each auxiliary equipment is supported by the structural member, the secondary support bracket may be attached directly to the floor of the railcar cabin, using any suitable fastener. Alternatively, platforms, or any other suitable mating bracket pieces, may be secured directly to the floor of the railcar cabin, adjacent each longitudinal side of the railcar, for receiving and supporting the secondary support brackets of the auxiliary equipment. 
   It will be appreciated that, in any example of implementation of the present invention, the bracket set of an auxiliary equipment may include more than two individual support brackets. More specifically, each auxiliary equipment may include two or more primary support brackets, for engagement and support by the structural member. Furthermore, each auxiliary equipment may include two or more secondary support brackets, for engagement and support by respective receiving surfaces located adjacent one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar or for attachment, direct or indirect, to the floor of the railcar cabin. It should also be noted that an auxiliary equipment may include a different number of primary support brackets than of secondary support brackets. 
   According to a further broad aspect, the invention is directed to a method for mounting auxiliary equipment to the underside of a railroad car. 
   According to another broad aspect, the invention provides a railcar having longitudinal sides and including an undercar assembly. The undercar assembly includes a structural member extending longitudinally between the longitudinal sides of the railcar, where this structural member includes a pair of longitudinally extending beam elements transversely spaced from one another. At least one auxiliary equipment bay is defined between the structural member and one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar. The auxiliary equipment bay is capable to receive at least one auxiliary equipment, where the structural member is operative to support at least in part the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bay. 
   According to yet another broad aspect, the invention provides a railcar having longitudinal sides and including an undercar assembly. The undercar assembly includes a structural member extending longitudinally between the longitudinal sides of the railcar, where this structural member includes a pair of longitudinally extending beam elements transversely spaced from one another. At least one auxiliary equipment bay is defined between the structural member and one of the longitudinal sides of said railcar. First and second auxiliary equipment are mounted in the auxiliary equipment bay, the second auxiliary equipment being different from the first auxiliary equipment, where the structural member engages both the first and second auxiliary equipment for supporting at least in part both the first and second auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bay. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A detailed description of examples of implementation of the present invention is provided hereinbelow with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a railcar from the bottom, illustrating the undercar assembly prior to the installation of auxiliary equipment, according to a non-limiting example of implementation of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the railcar undercar assembly shown in  FIG. 1 , after the installation of auxiliary equipment; 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified illustration of a bracket for supporting a structural member of the undercar assembly to a stiffener of the railcar, according to an example of implementation of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an example of a cable support compartment of the structural member shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified illustration of an example of the engagement of an auxiliary equipment support bracket by a receiving surface of the structural member shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the railcar shown in  FIG. 1 , with different types of auxiliary equipment mounted to the undercar assembly. 
   

   In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective bottom view of a railcar, illustrating the undercar assembly according to a non-limiting example of implementation of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the railcar  10  is provided with a cabin  12  closed at the bottom by a floor  50 , which is attached to the longitudinal sides of the cabin  12 . The undercar assembly  14  includes a pair of longitudinally extending beam members  16  and  18 , each beam member being adjacent to a respective longitudinal side of the railcar  10 . Note that  FIG. 1  depicts the undercar assembly  14  prior to the installation of any auxiliary equipment. 
   The railcar  10  includes a plurality of transverse members  48  that extend from the beam member  16  to the beam member  18 , on the underside of the floor  50 . The transverse members  48 , also referred to as stiffeners, are longitudinally and equally spaced apart from one another, and serve to support and reinforce the floor  50  of the cabin  12 . 
   Specific to the present invention, the undercar assembly  14  includes a structural member  24  that extends longitudinally along a major portion of the length of the railcar. The structural member  24 , formed of a pair of transversally spaced beam elements  30 ,  32 , is positioned between the longitudinal sides of the railcar  10  and, with the beam members  16 ,  18 , defines two longitudinally extending auxiliary equipment bays  26 ,  28 , respectively. Each auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28  is capable to receive auxiliary equipment, where the structural member  24  is operative to partly support the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bays  26 ,  28 , as will be described in further detail below. 
   The structural member  24  is attached to the stiffeners  48  of the railcar  10 , as will be described in further detail below. 
   In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the structural member  24  is located at midpoint between the beam members  16 ,  18 , such that the auxiliary equipment bays  26 ,  28  are of identical size. It is also possible to locate the structural member  24  closer to one of the beam members  16 ,  18 , creating one equipment bay of larger dimensions that the other equipment bay. The structural member  24  may also be positioned diagonally, such that the equipment bays  26 ,  28  vary in width along their length. 
   The structure of the structural member  24  is best shown at  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the railcar floor  50 , the stiffeners  48  and the undercar assembly  14  after the installation of auxiliary equipment  56 ,  60 . The pair of transversally spaced beam elements  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24  are parallel to one another along the entire length of the structural member  24 . This parallel relationship is not essential; the beam elements  30 ,  32  may be positioned such that at different longitudinal positions, the distance between the beam elements  30 ,  32  varies. The beam elements  30  and  32  are hollow and have a square cross section. Alternatively, the beam elements  30  and  32  can be solid and/or have different cross sections, examples of which include triangular, rectangular, polygonal, circular, U-shaped, L-shaped, I-shaped and C-shaped cross sections, among other possibilities. Moreover, the beam elements  30  and  32  may be formed integrally, e.g., as an I-beam. 
   Each beam element  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24  includes a plurality of receiving surfaces  36  for supporting auxiliary equipment in the respective auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28 , as will be described in further detail below. These receiving surfaces  36  are spaced apart and located at specific longitudinal positions along each beam element  30 ,  32 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , each receiving surface  36  of the structural member  24  is a platform that extends laterally from one of the beam elements  30 ,  32  into the respective auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28 . The platforms  36  are fixedly attached to the beam elements  30 ,  32 , for example with mechanical fasteners or adhesives, or through welding, among other possibilities. 
   Beam elements  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24  define therebetween a conduit  38  for receiving transmission lines, such as electrical cables and compressed air hoses. In the non-limiting example shown in  FIG. 2 , this conduit  38  includes first and second sections  44  and  46 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , on top of the beam elements  30  and  32  is attached a flat horizontal upper surface  34 , while below is attached a flat horizontal lower surface  35 . Upper and lower surfaces  34 ,  35  extend longitudinally along the length of the beam elements  30 ,  32 , and are each formed of a series of plates. These plates are positioned adjacent one another such as to form continuous upper and lower surfaces  34 ,  35 , and are attached to the beam elements  30 ,  32 , for example with a fastener such as a bolt or a screw, among other possibilities. Together, the beam elements  30 ,  32  and upper and lower surfaces  34 ,  35  form the first section  44  (also referred to as upper compartment  44 ) of conduit  38 . The upper compartment  44  is typically used to house low power electric cables. 
   Note that each plate of the upper and lower surfaces  34 ,  35  is detachable by unfastening the respective fastener(s), such that the cables housed within the upper compartment  44  may be accessed at different longitudinal positions of the upper compartment  44 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the plates of the upper and lower surfaces  34 ,  35  are made of metal; however, other suitable materials providing the requisite strength and rigidity may be substituted therefor. 
   Located below the upper compartment  44  are a plurality of cable support compartments  45 , typically used to route high power electrical cables and hydraulic lines. The cable support compartments  45  are spaced apart longitudinally along the length of the structural member  24 , and together define the second section  46  of the conduit  38 . Each cable support compartment  45  is suspended from the upper compartment  44  by means of a respective pair of conduit brackets  40 ,  42 , which project downwardly from the beam elements  30 ,  32 , respectively. 
   With reference to the exploded view of  FIG. 4 , each cable support compartment  45  is formed of a top plate  80 , a bottom plate  82  and a middle plate  84 . Together, the plates  80 ,  82  and  84  are capable to hold cables therebetween. More specifically, the bottom and middle plates  82 ,  84  are operative to hold a first set of cables therebetween, while the middle and top plates  84 ,  80  are operative to hold a second set of cables therebetween. As seen in  FIG. 4 , each of the top, bottom and middle plates  80 ,  82 ,  84 , respectively, define a plurality of recesses  86 . In the case of the middle plate  84 , the recesses  86  are defined on both top and bottom surfaces of the plate  84 , such that, for each recess of the top and bottom plates  80 ,  82 , there is provided a mating recess on the middle plate  84 . Thus, in use, the cable support compartment  45  defines a plurality of cable-receiving channels  88 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , for routing the high power electrical cables. The plates  80 ,  82  and  84  are attached together with any suitable fastener, such as a bolt or a screw, among other possibilities. 
   Note that a cable support compartment  45  may also be formed without the middle plate  84 , since the top plate  80  and bottom plate  82 , both defining recesses  86 , would be sufficient to hold cables therebetween in cable-receiving channels  88 . Alternatively, the cable support compartment  45  may be formed with two or more middle plates  84 , for holding and routing additional sets of cables. 
   It is also important to note that, in variant examples of implementation, the upper compartment  44  and/or the cable support compartments  45  of the structural member  24  may be used to route different types of transmission lines. Such different types of transmission lines may include electrical cables, hydraulic lines, pneumatic lines, refrigerant lines for air conditioning, computer wiring, communication wiring and optical fibers, among many other possibilities. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the beam members  16 ,  18  are affixed to the stiffeners  48  located on the underside of the floor  50  of the railcar  10 . The beam members  16 ,  18  extend along substantially the entire length of the railcar  10 , from one set of wheels at one end of the railcar  10  to the other set of wheels at the other end of the railcar  10 . It will be plain to a person skilled in the art that this is not an essential requirement of the invention. As seen in  FIG. 2 , each beam member  16 ,  18  is a box section made of folded sheet metal to provide the requisite strength and rigidity. To each box section are secured receiving surfaces in the form of platforms  20 . These platforms  20  project laterally inwardly and are located at specific longitudinal positions along the respective beam member  16 ,  18 . The platforms  20  define an upper surface  22  to support brackets for carrying auxiliary equipment that will be described later. 
   Advantageously, the total load arising from a sudden stop or braking action by the railcar  10  is distributed over the full length of the structural member  24 , as opposed to over the length of a plurality of small beams extending between the stiffeners  48 , as in existing undercar assembly designs. This distribution of the load over the length of the structural member  24  prevents stress concentrations on the floor  50  caused by auxiliary equipment, typical of existing undercar assembly designs. 
   The entire structural member  24  can be prefabricated. At the time of installing the structural member  24  to the underside of the railcar  10 , the beam elements  30  and  32  may be affixed to the stiffeners  48  in any suitable way. By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 3  illustrates one particular manner of attaching a beam element, in this example beam element  32 , to one of the stiffeners  48 . Specifically, there is provided a mounting bracket  72  designed to slidingly engage the beam element  32 . 
   When installing the structural member  24  to the underside of the railcar  10 , the mounting bracket  72  is slid along the beam element  32  for varying the longitudinal position of the mounting bracket  72  on the beam element  32 . The mounting bracket  72  may be fastened to the beam element  32  in a number of suitable ways known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including welding and/or using a fastener, such as a lug nut, among many other possibilities. The mounting bracket  72  has an upwardly protruding alignment plate  74  which can be used to align the beam element  32  in a predetermined angular orientation (e.g., perpendicular) with respect to the stiffener  48 . The mounting bracket  72  also has an aperture  62  designed to receive a fastener, such as a rivet, a bolt or a lug nut, among other possibilities, to permanently fix the mounting bracket  72  to the stiffener  48 . In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the mounting bracket  72  is affixed to the stiffener  48  by a standard bolt  64 . Additional support may also be provided by welding the mounting bracket  72  to the stiffener  48 . 
   The auxiliary equipment bays  26  and  28  are provided to hold different types of auxiliary equipment. Examples of such auxiliary equipment include air compressors, compressed air tanks, electrical/electronic equipment boxes, and air conditioning units, among many other possibilities. 
   Each auxiliary equipment to be mounted in the auxiliary equipment bays  26 ,  28 , regardless of the type or size of the equipment, includes a bracket set. The bracket set is formed of at least two support brackets, including a primary support bracket and a secondary support bracket, located on the auxiliary equipment in a substantially opposing relationship. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the primary and secondary support brackets are shown as support brackets  52  and  54 , respectively. The primary and secondary support brackets are common to all auxiliary equipment to be mounted on the underside of railcar  10 , and are each characterized by a standard size and shape. This standard size and shape may be common to both the primary and secondary support brackets. Alternatively, the secondary support brackets may be characterized by a standard size and shape that differs from the standard size and shape of the primary support brackets. 
   Note that the position of the primary and secondary support brackets on the auxiliary equipment may vary from one auxiliary equipment to another, in dependence of the size or shape of the auxiliary equipment. 
   The support brackets are firmly fastened to the auxiliary equipment by welding or by any suitable fasteners, such as bolts or screws, among others. Note that the primary and secondary support brackets of an auxiliary equipment may be connected by a link, as shown for auxiliary equipment  56  in the example of  FIG. 2 , where primary support bracket  52  is connected to secondary support bracket  54  by link  58 . Alternatively, the primary and secondary support brackets of an auxiliary equipment may be distinct and separate from one another, as shown for auxiliary equipment  60 , different from the auxiliary equipment  56  in terms of function and dimensions, in the example of FIG.  2 . 
   The structural member  24  is operative to engage the primary support bracket of each auxiliary equipment, for supporting and holding the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bays  26 ,  28 . More specifically, each receiving surface  36  of each beam element  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24  is capable to engage and support the primary support bracket of an auxiliary equipment. The secondary support bracket of each auxiliary equipment is engaged and supported by a respective receiving surface located adjacent one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar  10 , such that the auxiliary equipment is securely held in the respective auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a platform  20  attached to one of beam members  16 ,  18  serves to support the secondary support bracket of an auxiliary equipment when mounted in the respective auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28 . 
   It will be appreciated that the bracket set of an auxiliary equipment may include more than two individual support brackets. More specifically, each auxiliary equipment may include two or more primary support brackets, for engagement and support by respective receiving surfaces  36  of the structural member  24 . Furthermore, each auxiliary equipment may include two or more secondary support brackets, for engagement and support by respective receiving surfaces located adjacent one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar  10 . It should also be noted that an auxiliary equipment may include a different number of primary support brackets than of secondary support brackets, in dependence of the shape and size of the auxiliary equipment. 
   Each receiving surface  20  on each beam member  16 ,  18  is associated with at least one receiving surface  36  on the corresponding beam element  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24 , in order to properly engage an auxiliary equipment supported in the respective auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28 . Furthermore, two or more different receiving surfaces  20  on beam member  16 ,  18  may be associated with the same receiving surface  36  on the corresponding beam element  30 ,  32 , and vice versa. By “associated” is implied that a cooperative relationship exists between the receiving surfaces  20  and  36 , in order to support a particular auxiliary equipment in the respective auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28 . 
   Note that the associations between the receiving surfaces  20  on beam member  16 ,  18  and the receiving surfaces  36  on corresponding beam element  30 ,  32  are determined on the basis of the number of primary and secondary support brackets on each auxiliary equipment to be supported in the respective equipment bay  26 ,  28 . 
   Also note that the longitudinal position of a particular receiving surface  20  on the beam member  16 ,  18  may match the longitudinal position of an associated receiving surface  36  on the corresponding beam element  30 ,  32 . Alternatively, a particular receiving surface  20  on the beam member  16 ,  18  may be purposely offset from an associated receiving surface  36  on the corresponding beam element  30 ,  32 . The longitudinal positions of the receiving surfaces  20  on the beam members  16 ,  18 , as well as of the receiving surfaces  36  on the beam elements  30 ,  32 , are determined on the basis of the position of the primary and secondary support brackets of the auxiliary equipment to be mounted in the auxiliary equipment bays  26 , 28 . 
   In the example of implementation shown at  FIG. 2 , the auxiliary equipment  56  is suspended in the auxiliary equipment bay  28  by support brackets  52  and  54 . The primary support bracket  52  rests on the upper surface of platform  36 , attached to beam element  32  of the structural member  24 . The secondary support bracket  54  rests on the upper surface  22  of platform  20 , attached to beam member  18 . 
   With reference to the example shown in  FIG. 5 , each receiving surface  36  of the structural member  24 , as well as each receiving surface  20  of beam members  16 ,  18 , may include a fastener receiving portion  90  for receiving any suitable fastener  92 , such as a bolt or a screw, for retaining the respective support bracket of the auxiliary equipment to the receiving surface. 
   On the basis of the undercar assembly  14  described above, the method for installing an auxiliary equipment in an auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28  is simple and straightforward. Note however that this method presumes that a set of standard support brackets has already been attached to the auxiliary equipment. The method includes the step of positioning longitudinally and laterally the auxiliary equipment in the auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28  such that the primary and secondary support brackets of the auxiliary equipment are located next to their dedicated receiving surfaces  36 ,  20  on both the structural member  24  and the corresponding beam member  16 ,  18 . The auxiliary equipment is then elevated such that the support brackets are free to slide on top of the dedicated receiving surfaces  36 ,  20 . The auxiliary equipment is then slid longitudinally such that the primary and secondary support brackets are precisely aligned with the dedicated receiving surfaces  36 ,  20 , respectively. Next, fasteners are installed to retain the primary and secondary support brackets of the auxiliary equipment to the structural member  24  and to one of the beam members  16 ,  18 , respectively, thus locking the auxiliary equipment in place. Any cables, fluid hoses or other transmission lines extending from the installed auxiliary equipment are routed through the conduit  38 , as described above. 
   For purposes of clarification,  FIG. 6  shows an example of the railcar  10  in which various different auxiliary equipment  94  have been installed to the undercar assembly  14 . Thus, each auxiliary equipment  94  is suspended within one of the auxiliary equipment bays  26 ,  28  created by the beam elements  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24  and the beam members  16 ,  18 . 
   In a variant example of implementation, the undercar assembly  14  does not include beam members  16  and  18 . In this case, each auxiliary equipment bay  26 ,  28  is defined between the structural member  24  and one of the longitudinal sides of the railcar  10 . Accordingly, the secondary support bracket(s) of each auxiliary equipment may be attached directly to the floor  50  of the cabin  12 , using any suitable fastener. Alternatively, platforms  20 , or any other suitable mating bracket pieces, may be secured directly to the floor  50 , adjacent each longitudinal side of the railcar  10 , for receiving and supporting the secondary support brackets of the auxiliary equipment. In another alternative, a plurality of small beams are attached to the floor  50  of the railcar  10  between the stiffeners  48 . These beams are longitudinally spaced apart from each other, along each longitudinal side of the railcar  10 . Attached to each beam is at least one platform  20  for receiving and supporting a secondary support bracket of an auxiliary equipment. 
   In yet another variant example of implementation, the railcar  10  does not include any stiffeners  48  on the underside of the floor  50 . In this case, the structural member  24  is attached directly to the floor  50  of the cabin  12 . More specifically, the beam elements  30 ,  32  of the structural member  24  are secured to the floor  50  of the cabin  12  using any suitable type of fastener, including mounting brackets and/or welding, among other possibilities. Similarly, if the undercar assembly  14  includes beam members  16 ,  18 , the latter are also attached directly to the floor  50  of the cabin  12 , using any suitable type of fastener. 
   Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for the purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention, which is defined more particularly by the appended claims.