A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a
main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a
central vertically oriented web work structure for carrying vertical
shear loads. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to
carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a deep
upper beam structure that has downwardly extending planar surfaces. The
surfaces provide a bearing area against which bundled loads can be
secured. The surfaces are inwardly reinforced to discourage deflection
between adjacent upright members of the vertical web work.