Ak-Sar-Ben - 9220C - Trailer, 24 Foot, Box - Jack Daniels

Model Information: These models go back to the early days of Atlas. They first appear as loads on Roco-made Atlas flatcars in the 1969 catalog. Later Atlas acquired the tooling for both the flatcars and the trailer loads from Roco and started producing them in their New Jersey facility. At some point Atlas decided to market the trailer loads as a standalone product in 2-unit blister packs.

Prototype History: The 24' trailer provided LTL service for instances where a full size trailer would not be the most efficient. Splitting a haul into two creates more efficiency as one trailer can be spotted and then the second taken to a different destination without repacking. Many of the 24' trailers can be seen in TOFC service to this day.

Box vans are known as such for their rectilinear proportions. Their simple design makes them easy to manufacture and maintain.

Brand/Importer Information: Ak-Sar-Ben Hobby Co
Information on AkSarBen Hobby and their history is sketchy at best. Of course, AkSarBen is Nebraska spelled backwards so one might assume that they got their start in the Husker state. The most recent evidence of their existence, however, was in the 2010 Model Retailer Hobby Industry Directory listing them in Jacksboro, TN. The phone number listed is disconnected, so, who knows for sure? What is known is that AkSarBen Hobbies was owned by Allen Miller and got their start in the 1980's producing very high quality custom, limited edition HO and N Scale products. They probably have left the model train business for more than 20 years ago.