Sorry for bringing up an old topic, but Athearn just announced new bi - level auto racks at the NTS 2014 Cleveland show. They look great, but I haven't compared them to prototype photos. I believe they will be available in early (January)2015.
Didn't each railroad build their own racks and put them on 'standard, flatcars? I guess check your railroad and see what they did (and maybe it differs depending on the era?). I have several Accurail models and, for me, are close enough...and can usually be had for $5-$15 at train shows (I think the Athearn cars Will be closer to the $50 mark).
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
As info, here is a photo I took in the early 1970's at the loading ramp at Chevy truck assembly plant in Flint MI.
Bi-levels were used for pick up trucks, suburban wagons, and Blazers.
In the eary 1970's railroads were applying side shields to the auto racks.
By the mid 1970's designs for fully enclosed racks with roofs and end doors were developed. It took maybe 10 years or so to convert the entire fleet to fully enclosed cars. So, you could see all three types together in the late 1970's.
Also, the railroads and General Motors experimented with unique designs in the 1970's Stack Paks were used to haul Cadilacs inside special containers loaded on 89' flat cars. Verta Paks were designed to haul Chevy Vega compact cars in vertical position, nose down.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
delray1967 Didn't each railroad build their own racks and put them on 'standard, flatcars?
Didn't each railroad build their own racks and put them on 'standard, flatcars?
The railroads owned the racks. Some were applied on flat cars owned by the individual railroad. Others were mounted on Trail Train (TTX) flat cars.
That's a great pic, Garry. Thanks for sharing it. It's a reminder for those of us old enough, but a good illustration of just how colorful and interesting seeing the new vehicles on their way to wherever used to be. It was good advertising for the auto companies, too. People could see the new models on their way to the dealer.
I'm not a modern/contemporary era modeller (I cutoff in the mid-70s and that's often too modern for my tastes) and this is one of the big reasons. Those enclosed racks prevent damage, but they also prevent a vital piece of "eye candy" that I see as essential to what I like to model in railroading.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Ok,we have a great looking empty rack..
Who makes the cars for loading the racks?
Bueller? Bueller?
Any one?
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"