Container Car, Articulated Well, Gunderson Maxi-Stack IV

History: Intermodal container service is one of the most popular types of freight service on rails today. The Maxi-Stack IV car is the mainstay of the U.S. domestic double-stack car fleet. Providing an optimum balance between tare weight and capacity, the Gunderson Maxi-Stack IV is a 3-unit articulated double-stack car that can handle containers from 20-foot to 53-foot long in the well and containers 40-foot to 57-foot in the top, or double-stacked, position. As of a result of its versatility and sturdy construction, the Maxi-Stack IV is now the mainstay of the U.S. domestic double-stack fleet. The popularity of this car on North American rails is underscored by its popularity with model railroaders today!

Railroad/Company: Gunderson traces its roots to 1919 when Chet Gunderson opened Wire Wheel Sales and Service Company of Portland, Oregon. His brother, Al Gunderson joined in 1923 and shortly thereafter Gunderson Brothers was born. They became a leading steel fabricator and manufactured thousands of vital ship components during World War II. They also built lifeboats and life rafts: 3,600 by 1945.

Peace-time barges began in 1949 and the first order of railcar underframes came in 1958. In 1985, The Greenbrier Companies acquired the former Gunderson Brothers operations from FMC Corporation and restored the Gunderson name to the Portland waterfront. Since that time, Gunderson has established itself as a leader in engineering and manufacturing railcars and marine barges.

As of 2018, Greenbrier's Gunderson division is one of the largest producers of intermodal railcars.