AZL - 906556-2 - Container Car, Articulated Well, Gunderson Maxi-Stack IV - Iowa Interstate - 55143

Specific Item Information: Each set will come with six containers.

Model Information: The cars are articulated and ride on modified AZL 90001 roller-bearing trucks. These trucks swing quite freely. A railing ramp is suggested for placing the cars on the track. A minimum of curve of 220mm and above is recommended.

Each set will come with six containers. The 53′ containers are the first time AZL has offered corrugated type containers in this length. The 40′ containers are a re-release with new tooling as well. AZL plans to offer a mix of containers from discount stores, online stores, overnight delivery services, shipping companies, moving companies and railroads.

Prototype 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!

Road Name History: The Iowa Interstate launched in 1984 to operate the former Rock Island mainline from Chicago to Omaha with a few short branches, and one longer branch to Peoria. The mainline also serves the Quad Cities and Des Moines along the way. Cedar Rapids is served by agreement with Cedar Rapids & Iowa City. This Rock Island route had been operated by the Iowa Railroad between 1981 and the establishment of the IAIS in ‘84. Chicago to Bureau is on trackage rights and the western terminal is actually in Council Bluffs with Omaha just over the state line. In total, the system is 580 miles. IAIS’s parent company is Railroad Development Corp.

Early operations were mostly handled by the usual spin-off suspects, rebuilt first generation EMD road switchers. Of the 36 engines, only 3 GP38’s and an Alco RS-36 were 2nd generation units. As traffic picked up over the years, they began to dump the first generation road switchers in favor of used 4 axle 2nd generation power. Now many of those have been returned and Iowa Interstate is going ultra-modern. As of this writing, their 44 engine fleet consists of: 12 ES44AC “GEVO”’s; 8 SD38-2’s; 22 GP38-2’s 1 GP38; and a pair of slugs.

They also have a pair of Chinese built 2-10-2 steam locomotives used for tourists and special events. They can also be found in freight service to break them in after shopping.

The addition of the 12 brand new GEVO’s permitted IAIS to retire twice that number of older 2nd generation road switchers, and still have a net increase of pulling power. Two of these GEVO’s wear Rock Island heritage colors.

In addition to the usual Midwestern mixed-manifest freights, IAIS has a respectable intermodal business. In the early years, this consisted of a single 5-unit Twinstack behind a GP9 (really!) As of this writing, IAIS sports its own fleet of Maxi-IV stack cars among others, and trailers and containers now move in sizable blocks.

Brand/Importer Information: AZL is the leader in North American Z scale locomotives and rolling stock. Since 2000, AZL has released a vast variety of freight, passenger and locomotives. AZL continues to push the boundaries of Z scale with amazing details and incredible performance. No matter if you are looking to run steam, or the most modern diesels, AZL has something for you.