Specific Item Information: InterMountain Railway Company arranged with Fox Valley Models to produce sixteen paint schemes of what was formerly known as the Red Caboose Bi-Level Auto Rack.
Model Information: A few of these cars have operating end doors. They have truck-mounted MTL couplers. The tooling was originally created by Red Caboose, but was later sold to Fox Valley.
Prototype History: For many years, automobiles were carried in boxcars like other freight. The relative light weight of the cars for their size meant that these boxcars reached their volume capacity far faster than their weight limit. Loading cars through the side doors was also challenging and inefficient. End door boxcars helped with the loading, but could still only be loaded one at a time. Due to these limitations, modified flatcars, known as autoracks, began to appear in the 1960s. At first, these cars were open sided, with the cargo exposed, but later cars added the protection of aluminum sides to enclose the automobiles within.
Enclosed autoracks come in two basic configurations. Bi-level racks have a two decks: the floor of the flatcar itself, as well as one elevated deck. These cars can haul two rows of taller vehicles like vans and trucks. Tri-level racks have an extra deck and can carry three rows of conventional automobiles. Up until the 1990s, tri-level cars were far more common, but with the rise in popularity of the SUV, the number of bi-level cars has grown quickly over the past 20 years.
Enclosed autoracks come in two basic configurations. Bi-level racks have a two decks: the floor of the flatcar itself, as well as one elevated deck. These cars can haul two rows of taller vehicles like vans and trucks. Tri-level racks have an extra deck and can carry three rows of conventional automobiles. Up until the 1990s, tri-level cars were far more common, but with the rise in popularity of the SUV, the number of bi-level cars has grown quickly over the past 20 years.
Road Name History: Ferromex was launched in 1989 to take over the largest of the concessions from the privatization of FNM. This 5,375 mile line (between C&O and B&O in relative size,) has three main north-south routes: Mexicali and Nogales down along the Pacific Coast to Guadalajara and on to Mexico City; Ciudad Juarez (just across the border from El Paso) south to Mexico City; and Pedras Negras (across from Eagle Pass, TX) south to Mexico City. There is a major intersecting route from Ojinga (Presidio, TX) to the port of Topolobampo. Other braches connect to ports on both the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico. The company is owned by mining giant Grupo Mexico (Union Pacific has significant holdings in that company.) In 2005, that company bought Ferrosur but it would be six years before the two would be allowed to merge. Many of their operations have been combined but as of this writing, Ferrosur continues to have a separate identity.
Brand/Importer Information: Fox Valley Models is a small supplier of
model railroad and related products. FVM
started by finding solutions to different
challenges that model railroaders were
faced with. Our first products resulted
from a need to equip custom built
passenger cars with tinted windows made
of an ideal material; thin, flexible, easy to
cut, simple to install, available in multiple
colors and be affordable. We met those
needs and even included a frosted
version for the car's lavatory windows.
Other challenges inspired additional products including wooden grade crossings, trestles and different lineside structures. As our product line expands, input and requests from friends and customers help shape the product selection further.
Future products, under development, include more parts, structures, details and rolling stock. We strive to offer a good quality product at an affordable price.
Other challenges inspired additional products including wooden grade crossings, trestles and different lineside structures. As our product line expands, input and requests from friends and customers help shape the product selection further.
Future products, under development, include more parts, structures, details and rolling stock. We strive to offer a good quality product at an affordable price.
Item created by: CNW400 on 2020-10-20 10:16:28. Last edited by grothe77 on 2022-01-10 20:41:37
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