Vert-a-Pak Flat Cars - Historical Archive Information Needed

[Anonymous]

Dear Trains.com Memebers, My name is Thomas E. Johnson, a mechanical engineer working for TTCI/AAR and I am seeking any available information concerning Vert-a-Pak flat car design. Any technical information such as special equipment flat car design drawings, car builder list, car number list and car loading procedures for the 30 sub-compact automobiles would be greatly appreciated at this time.

Thank you for your assistance from TTCI

Thomas E. Johnson
Associate Test Engineer
Transportation Technology Center Inc.
55500 DOT Road, P.O. Box 11130
Pueblo, CO 81001

[joseph2]

Welcome to the forum.Do you mean the special car used to haul Chevrolet Vegas back in the early 1970's ? The sides of the freight car could be lowered down,Vegas were driven onto the side,the sides were lifted vertically and locked upright. I have seen technical information about the car in one of my old issues of Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman.I can't remember the year or the month though. Cordially,Joe G.

[Anonymous]

Hello Joseph2 from Colorado, Yes, I believe that you are correct about the special flat cars useage to haul 30 of the sub-compact automobiles from the GM assembly plant located in Lordstown, OH to Chevrolet dealerships in the Western half of the USA only.

When possible, please let me know if you are able to locate the old issue of Model Railroader or Railroad Model Craftsman issues with references to "Vert-a-Pak" flat cars.

Thank you for your assistance from TTCI

[joseph2]

I went through most of my old magazines and didn't find it.I always wondered why the motor oil didn't leak out of the engine blocks when the cars were vertical.If you like I could post your question on the Model Railroader part of this forum,perhaps someone there will remember the car. Joe

[chad thomas]

Welcome to the board Thomas. Here is a link to a recent thread on the vertipack cars.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=57193

[joseph2]

I have five pages of information,since you gave your work address,I will send it by mail. Joe