932-41050 FLAT CAR WITH TRAILER

* Mark IV Version * Includes Two Road-Specific Trailers * Use on Freight or
Passenger Trains * Ready to Run * Metal RP-25 Wheels * Proto MAX(TM) Metal
Knuckle Couplers * Razor-Sharp Paint and Lettering * Modeler-Installed Grab
Irons Included

As trailer-on-flat-car (TOFC) service evolved in the
late 50s, many roads began trying to cut costs, opening the door to new ideas.
Among these was the Flexi-Van system, first tested by the New York Central in
1957. Designed to speed loading and unloading, the design used a special
turntable (mounted on a standard flat car for testing), and a 36' trailer with a
removable wheel assembly (bogie). In operation, the trailer was first aligned
with the turntable and backed into place. The bogie was then unlocked and the
trailer slid aboard. Once in position, a pin locked the trailer to the
turntable, which was turned to the loaded position using the on-board
hydraulics.

The successful test car paved the way for the first
production models in 1958. These were low profile skeleton cars, designed to
meet clearance restriction on the NYC and carry two trailer units. Simple
pivoting turntables replaced the complex and expensive hydraulic units. Early
cars handled only 36' units, but as 40' was quickly becoming the standard length
for highway trailers, later models carried a 36 and a 40' unit; cars built from
1961 to 1968 carried two 40' units (Mark IV cars can be easily identified by
their inset trucks). On later cars designed to handle 40' bodies, the turntables
were moved to the ends and required the services of a specialized terminal
tractor. These short wheelbase rigs had a retractable front wheel to simplify
lining the truck and trailer with the turntable, and a large push pole provided
the extra reach needed to spin the trailer into place.

Lighter and
lower than standard TOFC cars, the unique design proved well suited for
high-speed operation and many cars were rebuilt so they could be moved in both
freight and passenger service. Other roads showed some interest in the system,
including ATSF, CB&Q, IC, MILW, WP and more. Although intended for most
types of freight, the system eventually proved quite popular for handling mail.
Although successful, the system had its limits. Snow and ice caused turntable
problems during winter months, and the special bogies had to be available at any
point where units were off-loaded. The rapid rise of containers and the
acceptance of industry-wide methods for moving trailers on flat cars soon pushed
Flexi-Van service into the pages of history.

PLEASE NOTE: As these cars
are the correct prototype length, a minimum 24"