From   Scientific American - New York, February 19, 1887

This car is so designed that it may be quickly and easily changed from a single to a double floored car; the object being to provide a car that may be used either for the transportation of cattle or of sheep, hogs, or other small animals. The car, which may be of the ordinary form, is provided with a movable auxiliary, or upper, floor. To the top of one end of the car is hinged a heavily made flap, or leaf, to which, in turn, there is hinged a platform, to the opposite end of which is hinged a second flap, which is hinged to the end of the car at a point just in line with the surface of the platform when the latter is in its lowered position. The platform normally rests in its lowered position, being then supported by suitably arranged cleats; but when the car is to be cleared for the purpose of transporting cattle, the platform is drawn up until it occupies a position just beneath and parallel with the roof of the car. This movement is brought about through the medium of a chain or rope, one end of which is secured to the end of the platform, as shown at the left in the engraving, while the other end is guided over sheaves, located as shown in the drawing, and secured to a shaft preferably mounted at one end of the car. The shaft is provided with a hand wheel and pawl-and-ratchet attachment. To draw the platform up (it is represented in the engraving about midway between its upper and lower positions), the hand wheel is turned to wind the rope upon the shaft, thus drawing up the platform and its leaves. When the platform is to be lowered, a handle on the pawl is moved so as to release the pawl from the ratchet, when the weight of the platform causes it to drop to its lower position. When the platform is lowered, side flaps hinged to it drop into the spaces between the doors and edges of the platform. The center of the platform is steadied and supported by a chain, as shown.

This invention has been patented by Mr. Louis H. White, of St. Augustine, Florida.