|
* Fully
Assembled * Metal RP-25 Wheels * 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. 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.
|
