Walthers Rolling Stock
Mark III Flexi-Van Flatcar w/Two Trailers - Ready to Run - Gold Line(TM)

Undecorated
Walthers Part # 932-3920, p. 163 Walthers 2013 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $59.98, currently in stock at Walthers but is scheduled to be Phased Out
This product is on-sale today for $27.98

 

Flexi-Vans Traveled In Freight & Passenger Consists

* All-New Tooling * Includes Two Road-Specific Trailers * Use on Freight or Passenger Trains * Ready to Run * 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.

Flexi-Van Flat Cars w/Two 40' Trailers:
NYC #504154
NYC #504235
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie #504225
PC #776326
NIFX #7027 w/MILW Side-Door Trailers
NIFX #7030 w/MILW Side-Door Trailers
Flexi-Van Flat Cars w/Two 40' Trailers, Limited-Run 2-Packs:
NYC #504181 & #504210
NYC #504262 & #504324
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie #504257 & #504311
PC #776395 & #776424
NIFX #7038 & #7049 w/MILW Side-Door Trailers
NIFX #7035 & #7041 w/MILW Side-Door Trailers

Also Available:

Flexi-Van Flat Cars w/Two 40' Trailers:
NYC #504228
MILW #7025
IC #903
NYC #504100
MILW #7028
SAL #1
class="green">IC #903
NYC #504100
MILW #7028
SAL #1
Flexi-Van Flat Cars w/Two 40' Trailers, Limited-Run 2-Packs:
MILW #7026 & #7033
IC #905 & #906
SAL #2 & #3
SOU #50109 & #50114
WP #1616 & #1623

Flexi-Van 40' Trailer w/Bogie Kits:
NYC
MILW
IC (Side-Door Version)
SAL (Side-Door Version)
SOU
WP
L&N
SOO
Undecorated (End-Door Version)

 
PLEASE NOTE: As these cars are the correct prototype length, a minimum 24" radius is recommended for operation.
 

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