Auto Racks

[Jim200]

The Auto-Max cars were made to have more height in order to carry 22 SUV autos. Previously, SUV autos could only be accommodated in bilevel autoracks which typically held only 10. As can be seen in the BNSF design below, the intermediate truck is somewhat different and has brakes, and results in one less truck for maintenance, (for conveying a similar amount of SUV autos). The end trucks are located closer to the coupler which saves some weight. In this BNSF design the wheels are 33 inches diameter which will last longer than 28 inch which I've seen in regular trilevels. You also have one less car to sort in the yard, which saves time. The Auto-Max was made to last 50 years, while the bilevel and trilevel autoracks last only 20 years, although the flatcar on which the racks were built could be used again about twice. I don't know if BNSF is able to move the Auto-Max faster than regular bilevels/trilevels, but Amtrak limits their regular bilevels to 70 mph.

http://m.bnsf.com/ship-with-bnsf/ways-of-shipping/equipment/pdf/AutoMax-Specs.pdf

Since the first Auto-Max, we now have Auto-Max II which allows you to change deck heights as needed, and some other improvements. I'm not sure if consideration of longer Auto-Max's with two or three intermediate trucks will happen, since there would be a loss in length of the intermediate cars. However, Greenbriar will probably make whatever you desire.

https://www.gbrx.com/media/1745/auto-max-ii-tb-nov-2016-v2.pdf

[tree68]

Seeing the AutoMax cars go by in relatively close proximity is like standing next to a moving wall...

They come through Utica, NY, daily, giving one the opportunity to stand on the platform there and watch - close enough to be awed, and far enough away to be safe...

[BOB WITHORN]

You don't see many AutoMax cars in Flint. They use the standard 2 level for the trucks built there, primarily the crew cabs and HD series. Must not be an advantage to use the 'Max' cars.