The TTEX Triple 57's were the first long runners made and are in the 161XXX number range. They were made from 2 channel-side flats, one of which had the wider "bulge" where the rear bogies of the center (spanning) trailer would sit (allowing more room for them to move around thru curves, etc). The "triple-57" designation came before 53' tailers were adopted as a national standard. These cars werte set up so they could carry four 28'-45' trailers or three trailers up to 57' by using collapsible hitches, except for the end hitches. The TTEX Triple-53 flats are in the 353, 354 and 357XXX number range and made in two ways; by combining 2 flush-deck flats or a channel side and flush deck. AFAIK, there are NO Triple-53's made from 2 channel side cars and none have the wide bulge area. Virtually all Triple 53's are only set up with fixed hitches for a maximum of three trailers, although I saw one photo of one Triple-53 that had collapsible hitches (357015). Here's a couple great links for photo-references... http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsList.aspx?id=TTEX&cid=3 http://www.railarc.com/railarc.shtml (enter TTEX under unit type and select thumbnails) Does this help? Russ PS - Now, if someone wold just make some actual collapsible hitches in N scale! [ December 17, 2005, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
Thanks Russ Yes this helps Big Time. I plan on doing them with two flush decks. My plan is to pick up a set from Alan as soon as he puts them on E-Bay
