System and Method for Reconfiguring an Autorack

Abstract

A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An autorack comprising:
 a flatcar comprising:
 a first end portion; 
 a second end portion; and 
 a center portion; 
 wherein a width of the first end portion of the flatcar is greater than a width of the center portion of the flatcar; 
 wherein a width of the second end portion of the flatcar is greater than the width of the center portion of a flatcar; 
   a plurality of posts;   a first post of the plurality of posts located near a first side of the first end portion of the flatcar;   a second post of the plurality of posts located near a second side of the first end portion, the second side opposite the first side, wherein a width between the first post of the plurality of posts and the second post of the plurality of posts is greater than the width of the center portion of the flatcar;   a third post of the plurality of posts located near a first side of the second end portion of the flatcar;   a fourth post of the plurality of posts located near a second side of the second end portion, the second side opposite the first side, wherein a width between the third post of the plurality of posts and the fourth post of the plurality of posts is greater than the width of the center portion of the flatcar;   a cross-brace assembly coupled to two or more of the plurality of posts of the autorack, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the two or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack;   a replacement deck coupled to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly   one or more of a plurality of replacement side screens coupled to one or more of the plurality of posts; and   a replacement roof section coupled to the autorack.   
     
     
         14 . The autorack of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-brace assembly further comprises at least one brace coupled to a fifth post of the plurality of posts and a sixth post of the plurality of posts. 
     
     
         15 . The autorack of  claim 13 , wherein the cross-brace assembly further comprises:
 a first bolting plate coupled to a fifth post of the plurality of posts at a location above the existing brace bay of the autorack;   a second bolting plate coupled to the fifth post of the plurality of posts at a location above the first bolting plate;   a third bolting plate coupled to a sixth post of the plurality of posts at a location above the existing brace bay of the autorack; and   a fourth bolting plate coupled to the sixth post of the plurality of posts at a location above the third bolting plate.   
     
     
         16 . The autorack of  claim 15 , wherein the cross-brace assembly further comprises:
 a first brace having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first brace is coupled to the first bolting plate and the second end of the first brace is coupled to the fourth bolting plate;   a second brace having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second brace is coupled to the second bolting plate and the second end of the second brace is coupled to the third bolting plate.   
     
     
         17 . The autorack of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 at least one pulley coupled to the autorack;   at least one cable coupled to the replacement deck of the autorack and the at least one pulley, the at least one cable operable to adjust a vertical position of the replacement deck within the autorack; and   an actuator coupled to the autorack, the actuator configured to pull the at least one cable to adjust the vertical position of the replacement deck within the autorack.   
     
     
         18 . The autorack of  claim 13 , further comprising a controller coupled to the autorack, wherein the controller is electronically coupled to the actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The autorack of  claim 13 , further comprising a seal-safe radial door structure coupled to at least one end of the autorack. 
     
     
         20 . The autorack of  claim 13 , wherein a height of a roof of the autorack is at least twenty feet. 
     
     
         21 . The autorack of  claim 13 , wherein a height of a roof of the autorack is adjustable. 
     
     
         22 . The autorack of  claim 13 , wherein the autorack is an existing autorack.