<font color="336633">After the Fuel Foilers and the Impack cars which can take a max of trailer length of 45', I have seen photos of longer ones that can take trailers up to 48' one had a 48' and a 53' trailer on and almost NO clearence between them, does anyone have any info on these cars? when built how many? drawings? Thanks </font>
I think some of the Impack TTX cars were extended to fit longer trailers, but I'm not 100% sure - will need to check. I think the Model Railroading Spine car articles have some details. Since the advent of the 53' trailers I don't think any trailer only spine cars have been made.
TTX's new TTRX 3-unit all-purpose spines can handle 3 57' or 6 28' pup trailers, or 3 containers 40'-53'. I *think* they were built by Trinity Industries. The TTAX 5-unit spine cars can take up to 5 48' trailers or containers, and I think were built by Trinity as well (Brian K. on the intermodal list would probably know for sure!). If you haven't already, check out the TTX website at www.TTX.com for all kinds of info....car specs, reporting mark descriptions, loading diagrams, etc. [ 03 September 2001: Message edited by: Mankind ]</p>
Several manufacturers built the TTAX cars, as they did the NTTX container-only ones. Intermodal equipment is an engrossing subject to study
After the success of the Santa Fe "Fuel Foilers", the design was taken and modified slightly to produce the "Impack" cars. These could take 40-45ft trailers. Some were later extended to take 48ft trailers. Later ones purchased by TTX had longer platforms to enable them to carry 28ft to 48ft trailers.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Alan: After the success of the Santa Fe "Fuel Foilers", the design was taken and modified slightly to produce the "Impack" cars. These could take 40-45ft trailers. Some were later extended to take 48ft trailers. Later ones purchased by TTX had longer platforms to enable them to carry 28ft to 48ft trailers.<hr></blockquote> I should probably know this but I don't : ) What do the initials mean like TTX, NTTX, etc... And are these what you sell Alan? DJ
TTX and NTTX (KTTX, TTAX, etc..) are reporting marks on the freight cars, denoting who owns them. Just like BNSF, UP, CSXT, NS - all reporting marks designating the ownership. In this case, Trailer-Train is the company who owns the TTX reporting mark (and any variations).
The TTX variations are all denote very spicific types of cars. NTTX is a container only spine car. TTLX is a trailer only spine car. DTTX is a well car. KTTX is an 89' flat that is NOT fitted for containers TTWX is an 89' flat that will carry containers or trailers. Then there are subclasses within those that denote what directions the trailers can face, what the maximum length of equipment, etc. http://www.ttx.com has many many many more details.
DJ, the ones I produce are TTAX (all-purpose - which means they can carry containers or trailers) and NTTX (containers only). There are numerous reporting marks used by TTX (used to be Trailer Train), for instance, the KTTX car Rob mentioned above is an 89ft car which can carry two trailers up to 45ft long back-to-back, whereas the TTWX (all purpose) and WTTX (trailers) can take two 45ft trailers, but both facing the same way. Another variation is the RTTX which can take three 28ft trailers, or two 45ft, as in the KTTX when the center hitch is lowered. Complicated, aint it? As Rob said, the TTX website has a load of info.
Here is one of my RTTX "Triple 28" 89ft flatcars. This can carry three 28ft trailers, or, with the center hitch lowered, can carry two trailers back-to-back (like a KTTX)
Couple of things that happen in the real world (once in a while anyway) that look so cool in model form. 89' flats with one 53' trailer and one 28' trailer back to back. A TTWX flat (containers or trailers) with a 45' trailer and a 40 container.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Alan: Another variation is the RTTX which can take three 28ft trailers, or two 45ft, as in the KTTX when the center hitch is lowered. Complicated, aint it? <hr></blockquote> Sure is! To make things even more complicated, some of the RTTX flats (the flush-deck ones) are all purpose, with the ability to carry containers as well as trailers. Seen and shot quite a few of them. TTX loves to make life interesting for us modelers, don't they?
Another variation is the RTTX cars that are drawbarred together just like the TTEX ones. Those mess you up when you are switching, you tell the enginear 5 pigs to a stop and it is actually 6, becouse you thought that that RTTX was a single pig. I think the drawbarred RTTX's can carry 6 28' trailers. Brian
Brian, The TTEXs can carry 3 53' or 57' trailers. Forgot the 6 pups reporting mark. But you better learn those reporting marks so you can give correct car counts! That goes for well cars which have all different lengths. Info should be in your RRs timetable. Had the same problem myself at BNSF.
jon and brian - I'm glad to hear you guys get confused with this stuff too [ 03 October 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]</p>
I have seen the cars with lettering for 57' trailers, yet have never even seen one. Is a 57' trailer even legal on the highway? My favorite cars are the 4 wheel variety TTAX that have restrictions for trailing tonnage. Makes the conductors crazy figuring trailing tonnage during pick-ups.
The 57' sizing was optimism on the part of TTX - AFAIK 57' trailers are not legal (yet) Many of those 4 wheel (Front Runner) cars are being scraped now. Apparently they are all migrating toward a scrap yard in St Louis (from what I hear anyway) - kinda sad as I really like them.
