An open top gondola car includes top chord sections; a pair of end walls and side walls coupled to the top chord structure, wherein each sidewall includes a side sheet a plurality of side stakes and side sill; and an underframe construction including a center sill running the length of the car, bolsters configured to be above truck assemblies and coupled to the center sill and a plurality of lateral I-Beam cross bearers that extend from the center sill toward and stopping short of the inside of the side sheet, and wherein the cross bearers include vertical connection plates configures for coupling to side stakes which are positioned between the bolsters.