While the basic enclosed autorack protects new autos from vandal projectiles, a new form of vandalism, graffiti, would become prevalent in the late 90s. The new design, dubbed “Multi-Max”, introduced design elements to help meet the challenges faced by railroads and shippers in the 21 st century. With many racks built in the 60s and 70s nearing the end of their operational lives, in 2013 Gunderson would introduce a new design to provide the ultimate in protection for automobiles, as well as operational flexibility. The sides were completely protected with perforated galvanized-steel panels, the top of the car was enclosed with a galvanized steel roof, which protected cars on the top level, and the ends were equipped with a large pair of sliding or folding doors, helping to keep unwanted passengers out.Īs effective as this basic design is, there is always room for improvement. The 1970s would see the development of fully-enclosed autoracks to protect this valuable cargo.
While the side screens or panels worked to protect window glass, the ends of the autoracks were still open, allowing easy access for thieves or transients to climb aboard and damage the new vehicles. Railroads and car builders would add metal screens or fiberglass panels to the sides of the autoracks, to shield the new vehicles from wayward missiles. Even train-hopping transients would prove to be a problem, since riding in a new automobile would be much more comfortable than a dirty boxcar or gondola. Thieves would take a toll as well, breaking into new automobiles to steal high-value components like stereos or hubcaps.
#MULTI COUNTER PANEL WINDOWS#
While initially successful, by the late 1960s the new vehicles shipped via racks on would prove to be too tempting a target for vandals, who used the windows on new vehicles for target practice using rocks or other, higher-velocity projectiles. As automobiles are relatively light, long flats of up to 89’ in length would be developed and adapted to use multi-level (for a total of two or three decks) racks, simply known as “autoracks”, hauling up to over a dozen new autos. As time went on, flatcars equipped with multi-level open-air racks for handling autos would be developed. Double-door boxcars were some of the first designs used for shipment of autos the cars would simply be driven aboard, with the larger opening of the double-doors helping to facilitate this. Shipping via rail offered automakers a fast, cost-effective method of moving new autos from manufacturing centers to distribution centers, or in the early days, to dealers themselves. Since the development of the automobile, automakers and the railroads have worked together to develop better and more efficient methods for transporting new vehicles.
Weighted to Industry standards for reliable operation.Paint colors match Tru-Color Paint color: Roof TCP-354 galvanized steel.Printing and lettering legible even under magnification.28” machined metal wheels with accurately profiled.Painted reporting mark and road number on all four trucks.ASF low deck swing motion trucks with finely rendered raised foundry data Black rotating bearing caps separate “truck-mounted brake” brake beams and side bearing detail.Durable body-mounted die-cast metal semi-scale standard Type E extended shank couplers.
#MULTI COUNTER PANEL PLUS#
Early end doors with flat angle panels and photo etched metal side sill locking rings.Three (3) main bodies of rack mounting holes in painted side panels for trilevel cars.
#MULTI COUNTER PANEL FULL#
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