A hopper car gate with a frame, a door supported by the frame and horizontally moveable between open and closed positions, a rack mounted to the door, and first and second shafts supported by the frame. A first gear mounted to the first shaft engages the rack. Second and third mating gears are mounted to the first and second shafts, respectively. A hopper car with first and second hopper car gates mounted to first and second hoppers, respectively. Doors of the gates move horizontally to an open position in opposite directions from each other with shaft rotation in the same direction. A hopper car gate opening and closing system including a hopper car gate with a pair of shafts, a gear mounted on each shaft, and racks that are positioned to engage the gears as the gate moves with respect to the racks.