Patent ID: 8141498

Claim:
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, wherein the first side wall has a first top plate and wherein the second side wall has a second top plate; and a rail car extension system comprising: a first main rail section comprising: a first upper rail portion; a first lower rail portion that extends from the first upper rail portion; and a first bottom panel that is oriented substantially transverse to the first lower rail portion proximate an intersection of the first upper rail portion and the first lower rail portion, wherein the first lower rail portion has a first aperture formed therein, wherein the first bottom panel is positioned adjacent to the first top plate and wherein the first main rail section is mounted to the first side wall by extending a first fastener through the first aperture and into the first side wall; a second main rail section comprising; a second upper rail portion; a second lower rail portion that extends from the second upper rail portion and a second bottom panel that is oriented substantially transverse to the second lower rail portion proximate an intersection of the second upper rail portion and the second lower rail portion, wherein the second lower rail portion has a second aperture formed therein, wherein the second bottom panel is positioned adjacent to the second top plate and wherein the second main rail section is mounted to the second side wall by extending a second fastener through the second aperture and into the second side wall; 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.