This aluminum rapid discharge open top hopper car, used by a Southeastern utility company, was uprated (increased GRL-gross rail load) to facilitate carrying an increased payload. The cars were analyzed for an uprate from 263K GRL to 286K GRL. Modifications to the carbody and the brake system were called for, and were designed by Starfire. Special attention was given to the interface of aluminum to steel parts, to prevent galvanic corrosion over time.