Walthers Rolling Stock
Gold Line(TM) Mark IV Flexi-Van Flatcar w/Two Trailers

Pennsylvania/Merchants Despatch #9663
Walthers Part # 932-41060, p. 163 Walthers 2013 HO Scale Reference
HO scale, $59.98, sold out at Walthers

 

Intermodal Cars for Freight & Passenger Consists

* Mark IV Version * Includes Two Road-Specific Trailers * Use on Freight or Passenger Trains * Ready to Run * Metal RP-25 Wheels * Proto MAX(TM) Metal 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 (Mark IV cars can be easily identified by their inset trucks). 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.
 
PLEASE NOTE: As these cars are the correct prototype length, a minimum 24"
 

Flexi-Van Mark IV Flatcars:
NYC #9772
NYC #9715
NYC #9799
IC #911
IC #918
IC #925
CB&Q #96005
CB&Q #96013
CB&Q #96024
PRR/MDT #9663
PRR/MDT #9609
PRR/MDT #9681
Merchants Despatch #9619
Merchants Despatch #9652
Merchants Despatch #9697
ATSF #291001
ATSF #291014
ATSF #291021
Undecorated

radius is recommended for operation.
 
Includes side-door trailers PRRU #201802 & 201998
 

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