Patent ID: 7017498

Claim:
A sideframe for a rail car wheel-truck assembly supporting a rail car having a load, the sideframe comprising: a top member having opposing end sections wherein the top member forms a top part of the sideframe; a bolster opening in the sideframe, the bolster opening defined by the top member, a bottom platform, and two opposing column sides extending vertically from the bottom platform to the top member; column wear plates secured to each of the two opposing column sides inside the bolster opening, wherein the column wear plates have a height ranging between about 9.4 inches and about 10.4 inches; wherein the sideframe is able to accommodate therein: a spring group supported by the bottom platform; and a plurality of spring shoe assemblies wherein the bolster opening accepts a bolster end supported by the spring group and the plurality of spring shoe assemblies, wherein the plurality of spring shoe assemblies are located in the bolster and adjacent the two opposing column sides, and further wherein the spring group and the plurality of spring shoe assemblies are respectively interchangeable with different spring groups and different spring shoe assemblies of varying design, or size and thereby enable replacement therewith while accommodating the load of the rail car or a different load of the rail car.