N SCALE 5-UNIT BNSF TWIN-STACK Set 1 Deluxe Innovations

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N SCALE ITEM 151401 5-UNIT BNSF TWIN-STACK, Set 1, by Deluxe Innovations. BNSF ROAD #236023. Picture shows only two of the five cars. This N scale five unit set models the prototype used by BNSF. First developed in the early 80's, the Twin-stack was the first double stack car to popular with a number of railroads. The five unit articulation concept was used to reduce weight and coupler slack. Why five units? Santa Fe had used 10 unit spine cars since the seventies but since one bad car made the whole set bad, that put 10 units out of service too much. Five units provided the perfect ratio of cost savings to down time. The bottom position of each well will accommodate one 40' container or two 20' containers. Some railroads ordered their cars to handle 20 footers only on the two end wells while other railroads opted for 20 footers on the only the middle three wells. The difference lies in whether "hard points" were attached in the middle of the well to support the ends of the 20' containers. The upper position will hold 40', 45', or 48' containers. Twinstacks belonging to SeaLand had extra attachment points so that company's proprietary 35' containers could be carried in either position. The large bulkheads at the ends of each well were designed to hold the top container in place. Even these large structures were sometimes not enough in high winds as empty containers were known to blow off. To stop this rash of flying cargo boxes, some cars were equipped with 8' high walls that were welded to the tops of the bulkhead. Hoping this would deflect the problem with the wind, the empty car now stood more than 20' tall! Before the success or failure of this technique could be judged, it became a moot point when someone realized that the InterBox Connectors (IBC's) that locked containers together on ships could be used on trains too. Seemingly overnight, the bulkheads became nothing more than decoration. Gunderson's subsequent double stack designs had no bulkheads. Ironically, the Twin-stacks are so rigid that only a couple of wrecked cars have been retired with the rest of the fleet intact and in operation to this day. Deluxe Innovations set out to push the envelope on this model. The 5-unit set is ready to run with free standing brake detail and scale sized open lattice floors. The distinctive circular depressions on the inside faces of the side sills are accurately reproduced. The end platforms and grab irons are made of etched stainless steel to better reproduce the open grid-work of the prototype. The model is semi-permanently coupled together to make handling and railing the car easier. The model is designed to run partially or fully loaded and container weights are included. If the car is to run empty, we follow the guidelines of the prototype, and suggest that you run it at the end of the train. The car halves are assembled with steel pins in the bolster boxes, as that is the only place that one could hide weight. Thank goodness it's right over the trucks! Make sure all of the articulators are free and loose, and away you go! I combine purchases to reduce shipping costs if all items are paid for with one payment. Three cars will ship for the same postage as two, so it is more economical to ship three items at a time. Inquire if you have a question. * If you are bidding on more than one auction, please don't make payment before you receive an invoice for combined shipping. A $10 service fee will be charged on International orders for this item because as a unit, it requires special package. read more

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