It is my understanding that 45ft intermodal freight containers were first offered in 1985. Been searching the web, but can't find when 45ft. semi-box trailers came into use?
Thanks and regards, Peter
Peter,
It wasn't that long before 1985, but just a little, maybe like 1980-ish? Used to load those darn things - still do in my sleep sometimes - and they grew progressively larger over the course of a decade of so, next going to 48' and then 53', as well as going to 102" width, which I think came in with the 45' trailers.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
My notes say that 45' trailers were legal in 1980.
Again from my notes: in 1981-82, BN, B&M, MP, SP and a few short lines got them. Also Realco, Transamerica, Xtra, Availco
In 1982 also Clipper and similar, and produce reefers: AXXA, Cornucopia, Gelco, IMEX, Martrac. 45's were made by stretching 40's
In 1983 max width from 96" up to 102". BN introduces green trailers
In 1985, max trailer length up to 48'
Ed
PS: My comment about 45's being made from 40's is meant to say that converted 40's happened a year or two after 45's were legal. There were new 45's at an earlier date. 1981, fer example.
Ed,
Thanks for the details. Our outfit regularly bought new trailers back then. In the grocery business, cube is everything, so when we acquired new rolling stock, it grew larger in step with the regs increased allowance.
RRs tended to lag a bit, because new trailers not only had to fit the roads, but had to fit the equipment that the RRs used to move them.
42FT, 45FT, common carrier trailers, mid 70's. Loaded, unloaded, pulled them allover the US and Canada, for 45yrs. Retired Teamster past 14yrs. Some add-on 40's and disgusting, 45x102's with 98'' axles. You could have a flat tire on the trailer and not see it in the mirrors, until it was already smoking. There were and are, in place depending on where you live in the country, laws pertaining to weight, length width of movement of trailers on US highways, much different then the Railroads.
Frank
Alright, my 45ft. semi-trailers will look right at home on my early 80s era layout.
thanks again and regards, Peter
I think the railroads began loading 45' trailers around 1982 ... so at that time they began a major program to convert the 89' flat cars to carry 2 45' trailers. By 1985, 45' trailers are the norm and 40' trailers much less common.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761I think the railroads began loading 45' trailers around 1982 ... so at that time they began a major program to convert the 89' flat cars to carry 2 45' trailers.
Prior to the "Twin 45" conversions, most standard 89' flatcars could handle a single 45' trailer plus another that was 40' or shorter. Other TOFC cars like older 85' flats could haul one 45' trailer with the center hitch collapsed.
Western Pacific had some 45' trailers leased by 1979, which had previously been used by the Rock Island. At least one owner, Vermont Railway, reportedly had 45' trailers for western TOFC use before they were street legal in the state where the railroad ran.
Rob Spangler