Micro-Trains - 137 51 042 - Flatcar, 68 Foot, DODX Heavy-Duty - Department of Defense - 41012

Specific Item Information: Road Numbers: 41012, 41027, 41042

Built in 1984, these heavy-duty Department of Defense 68’ flat cars with Barber Roller Bearing trucks belong to series 41000-41256. They’re used by the US Army and USMC to transport heavy military vehicles across the United States between bases for training and deployment.

Model Information: Micro-Trains first announced this model in July of 2017 for an initial delivery in Summer of 2018. Initially it was only available as part of 3 different 3-car runner packs. The model features a finely detailed deck with vehicle tie-down channels, mounting points for containers, an all-new underframe as well as new 6-wheel Roller Bearing Buckeye trucks and body-mounted couplers.

Prototype History: The DODX Heavy-Duty flat cars are 68’ 150-ton flats, with two 3 axle "buckeye" trucks, built for the Department of Defense (DoD). These will hold two M1 Abrams or two M60.
There were four builders that produced this car:
- DODX 40000-40099 (FGE)
- DODX 40100-40299 (Thrall)
- DODX 40300-40549 (Ortner)
- DODX 40550-40599 (USRE)
Vehicles are secured to the flat with heavy duty tie-down chains.
Blocks of DODX cars usually move long distances mixed into regular manifest freight trains, however, unit trains of armor are not unusual. Armor is moved by rail between bases and practice ranges, or to ports of embarkation.

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