Micro-Trains - 111 44 120 - Autorack, Enclosed, Tri-Level - Ferromex

Prototype History: For many years, automobiles were carried in boxcars like other freight. The relative light weight of the cars for their size meant that these boxcars reached their volume capacity far faster than their weight limit. Loading cars through the side doors was also challenging and inefficient. End door boxcars helped with the loading, but could still only be loaded one at a time. Due to these limitations, modified flatcars, known as autoracks, began to appear in the 1960s. At first, these cars were open sided, with the cargo exposed, but later cars added the protection of aluminum sides to enclose the automobiles within.

Enclosed autoracks come in two basic configurations. Bi-level racks have a two decks: the floor of the flatcar itself, as well as one elevated deck. These cars can haul two rows of taller vehicles like vans and trucks. Tri-level racks have an extra deck and can carry three rows of conventional automobiles. Up until the 1990s, tri-level cars were far more common, but with the rise in popularity of the SUV, the number of bi-level cars has grown quickly over the past 20 years.

Road Name History: Ferromex was launched in 1989 to take over the largest of the concessions from the privatization of FNM. This 5,375 mile line (between C&O and B&O in relative size,) has three main north-south routes: Mexicali and Nogales down along the Pacific Coast to Guadalajara and on to Mexico City; Ciudad Juarez (just across the border from El Paso) south to Mexico City; and Pedras Negras (across from Eagle Pass, TX) south to Mexico City. There is a major intersecting route from Ojinga (Presidio, TX) to the port of Topolobampo. Other braches connect to ports on both the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico. The company is owned by mining giant Grupo Mexico (Union Pacific has significant holdings in that company.) In 2005, that company bought Ferrosur but it would be six years before the two would be allowed to merge. Many of their operations have been combined but as of this writing, Ferrosur continues to have a separate identity.

Brand/Importer Information: Micro-Trains is the brand name used by both Kadee Quality Products and Micro-Trains Line. For a history of the relationship between the brand and the two companies, please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide.

Manufacturer Information: Micro-Trains Line split off from Kadee Quality Products in 1990. Kadee Quality Products originally got involved in N-Scale by producing a scaled-down version of their successful HO Magne-Matic knuckle coupler system. This coupler was superior to the ubiquitous 'Rapido' style coupler due to two primary factors: superior realistic appearance and the ability to automatically uncouple when stopped over a magnet embedded in a section of track. The success of these couplers in N-Scale quickly translated to the production of trucks, wheels and in 1972 a release of ready-to-run box cars.

Micro-Trains Line Co. split off from Kadee in 1990 to form a completely independent company. For this reason, products from this company can appear with labels from both enterprises. Due to the nature of production idiosyncrasies and various random factors, the rolling stock from Micro-Trains can have all sorts of interesting variations in both their packaging as well as the products themselves. When acquiring an MTL product it is very important to understand these important production variations that can greatly enhance (or decrease) the value of your purchase.

Please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide