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Post by markm on Aug 24, 2017 9:20:27 GMT -5
I always liked the piggyback cars of the 50s and 60s, but it seemed that the service had faded away after that era.
On a recent trip across N. California and S. Oregon, I was somewhat surprised to see modern piggyback cars on both unit and mixed trains for both UP and BNSF. Mostly UPS and U.S. Mail, but many other transcontinental shippers were represented.
I was wondering if there is any interest in producing such cars (and loads) and interest in owning such cars?
BTW: I was also surprised by the number of well cars that were sitting on sidings in the middle of nowhere rusting away.
Mark
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Post by cwrr on Aug 24, 2017 9:48:31 GMT -5
I still see BNSF's Z-trains from Chicago to Seattle everday, usually with a good lot of piggy's on the back of the trains, heading into the South Seattle Intermodal Yard. Still nice to see them!!
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Post by cwrr on Aug 24, 2017 9:50:05 GMT -5
Maybe AZL could have something in the works soon........
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Post by markm on Aug 24, 2017 10:47:42 GMT -5
Maybe AZL could have something in the works soon........ I'd be interested in owning a few appropriate for western roads and various trailer names. In these days of intellectual property defense, it may be challenging to get the licensing.
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Post by markm on Aug 24, 2017 11:15:19 GMT -5
For people that model eras:
A trucking friend tells me that piggyback was killed in the 1980s by the Railroad Anti-Trucking Tax. Apparently a 2010 court decision opened up railroads carrying truck trailers again.
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Post by dazed on Aug 24, 2017 11:53:10 GMT -5
Sorry, but piggyback/TOFC service has never "faded away" or been "killed"....not even close. About the only major changes from the 50's/60's have been: (1) the change from circus-style loading/unloading--from end ramps--to side or top loading/unloading using specialized vehicles and/or cranes which happened mostly in the 1980's. (2) Longer and longer flat cars culminating in the 89ft cars (70's/80's) and then the "Triple-57's" (90's) with two 89ft cars drawbarred together. (3) The invention of spine cars in the 80's, the expanded use in the 90's, and the ultimate migration to almost exclusive use of spine cars today for TOFC. (4) Major shippers like UPS adding containers to the mix versus straight trailer traffic.
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Post by dazed on Aug 24, 2017 11:58:25 GMT -5
There has been some availability of modern TOFC equipment in Z. Mostly from EDM (formerly Alan Curtis/"AC Models") and custom production by HoboTim. EDM/AC had two versions of 89ft cars and a 48ft 5-Unit Articulated All-Purpose Spine Car, and I think HoboTim may have done 53ft spine cars? and is rumored to be working on 57ft AP Spine cars as well. HoboTim may have done some AP doublestack cars capable of carrying trailers too, not 100% sure of that though.
And of course AZL has done 89ft flat cars although I am not sure they have done a trailer version or not.
Best bet for loads at this time are various cardstock offerings or Shapeways. (Stony Smith has some 48ft and 53ft trailers, etc.) Arrowhead Models and I think Showcase have done UPS pups.
I have several of the EDM/AC spine car kits I'm working on right now. Might be willing to part with one or two of them once they're done.
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Post by dazed on Aug 24, 2017 12:19:23 GMT -5
Maybe AZL could have something in the works soon........ I'd be interested in owning a few appropriate for western roads and various trailer names. In these days of intellectual property defense, it may be challenging to get the licensing. While licensing is an issue, it seems that the path had become easier for model railroad manufacturers of late. UPS and JB Hunt and many others were traditionally very stingy but look at what Scale Trains and Athearn have been doing in N and it is obvious they have eased off on their hard-nose stance. I presume AZL is quite up to speed on the latest with this.
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Post by cwrr on Aug 24, 2017 15:37:48 GMT -5
Maybe AZL could have something in the works soon........ I'd be interested in owning a few appropriate for western roads and various trailer names. In these days of intellectual property defense, it may be challenging to get the licensing. Me too!! Some early to mid-70's BN, MILW, UP, etc. trailers on TOFC would be awesome!!
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Post by Rob Albritton on Aug 24, 2017 18:25:09 GMT -5
Maybe AZL could have something in the works soon........ Our 89' flat cars include trailer hitches as parts in the box. You need to supply the trailers.
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Post by railtwister on Aug 24, 2017 18:54:19 GMT -5
Really would like to see some of the earlier TOFC cars which weren't much more than 50-60 foot flats with trailers mounted onboard. They would look better behind F-units and other first generation diesels, too!
Bill in FtL
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