A cover opening and closing system for use with a railcar. The railcar has a longitudinal axis, a top opening and at least one movable cover configured to cover the opening. The cover opening and closing system includes at least one structural support coupled generally to the ground and at least one of an opening device and a closing device. The opening device and closing device are coupled to said at least one structural support. The at least one of an opening device and a closing device are configured to contact a portion of the at least one movable cover and to cause the movable cover to move as the railcar moves in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis.