Autorack, Open, Bi-Level

History: Until the 1960s the railroads used boxcars to move automobiles. The ubiquitous boxcar was the railroads' most trusted apparatus to handle freight. These boxcars were later retrofitted with double doors and racks to handle about four vehicles but few other changes were made.

This was replaced by a new design. The autorack is essentially a flatcar featuring two or three levels of racks to transport vehicles. The basic design consists of a flat, horizontal surface usually equipped with standard two two-axle trucks to transport any type of cargo. They can carry could anywhere between 8 to 18 vehicles. The car itself was 89 feet in length and provided groves/guide tracks for the vehicles as well as interior tie-down equipment. Not only could this new design carry several autos but they could also quickly be loaded and unloaded, another advantage over the cumbersome boxcar.

Railroad/Company: This set of items is comprised of more than one name. Please look at the component items for details on the specific roadnames and/or manufacturers.