Action
Notice of safety advisory; side sill failure of ACF Center Flow[reg] Covered Hopper Cars.
Summary
FRA is recommending inspection and, when necessary, repair of American Car and Foundry (ACF) Center Flow[reg] Covered Hopper Cars, when appropriate. These cars have a history of side sill failure. On April 16, 2008, FRA was notified that car CSXT 254526, an ACF Center Flow[reg] Covered Hopper Car, experienced a catastrophic side sill failure. Both sides of the side sill, the side sheet, and the roof fractured. As a result, the A-end of the car was pulled away from the rest of the car body.