Always looking for a more fuel efficient way to move trailers, the railroads have been open to the Wabash National group for the RoadRailer Bimodal transportation system. Bimodal means that it uses the same piece of hardware to run on two different modes of transport. In this case, the trailer that runs on the highway is also the railcar that runs on the rails. With the addition of a pretty standard railroad truck, or "Bogie", the air shock equipped RoadRailer trailer can be brought directly to the terminal, and added right into a train. This revolutionary system has several advantages. First- it weighs less than a standard railcar/trailer combination- a LOT less. The trailer itself is slightly heavier than an OTR (over the road) trailer, but the absence of a railcar saves a lot of weight and fuel. Second- there is no slack action. The train assembles tightly without couplers. This allows the train to have no slack, and therefore no damage due to slack pull out or slack run in. When the train stops, all of the cars stop as one. When the train moves, it all moves as one. This is a great selling point to the end customer. Three- Security. These trains are assembled tightly, nose to tail. There is no room to open the doors to the trailers, and therefore very little chance of pilferage or piracy. In other modes, bandits can jump on the railcar, pop open the back doors, and pitch products out to a pacing truck next to the train. With the RoadRailer trailer, the Steel bumper swings up and locks the doors closed, and the next trailer is so close there is no possibility of opening those doors unless you are in the yard, and not in the train.

These issues combine to offer a safe, damage free, fuel efficient system for moving trailered freight. This is so appealing that after Norfolk Southern and Conrail showed the way with their jointly operated Triple Crown Service, other railroads and shippers were quick to give it a try. Currently, Amtrak and TCS are the largest users. Triple Crown is running the RoadRailer system all over the eastern part of the US, and has just agreed with BNSF for continuation trains through the West. A deal has just been struck to run the RoadRailer System on the North South "NAFTA" lines to Mexico City. BNSF started their ICE train running refrigerated RoadRailer trailers from LA to Chicago and is looking to expand the service to other routes. CN has joined the show with both 3 axle and 2 axle units. The Swift train runs the SP "I-5" corridor from Portland to Los Angeles with their Hi-Cube versions. The Santa Fe has operated a 5 unit set of AutoRailer Trailers that were equipped with automobile handling fixtures. These were decorated in a classic war bonnet like scheme. The popularity of the concept continues to grow. Schneider National operated a train on the I-5 corridor with Southern Pacific. The "space" on the train was purchased by Swift, and Schneider no longer operates their 'Railers. Perhaps we'll see a return to the business as soon as the route becomes more popular. Amtrak has just signed a deal with Triple Crown to handle single trailer point to point shipments behind their trains. The BNSF has mixed Clipper Logistics reefers into their Ice Trains. Amtrak has three different kinds of RoadRailer trailers- their own side door version, ExpressTrak smoothsides, and the leased Wabash Plate walls with ribs on the sides.

The deLuxe innovations RoadRailer system is an authorized and licensed model of the Wabash National Corporation's RoadRailer BiModal System. The models feature a 53' platewall trailer, the interlocking hardware system, and the Couplermate attachment bogey. The deLuxe innovations version of the trailer can be used in highway or Rail mode, and can be equipped with either highway or RoadRailer versions of the landing gear. The landing gear can be modeled in the up position for use on truck or rail, or the down position for use when parked on the ground. The deLuxe innovations version of the Couplermate bogey features an etched metal walkway, etched through expanded metal walks and fences, a tool box for the RoadRailer system spare parts, and the proper air fittings and valves. The deck is attached to a smoothrunning truck and features the Atlas Accumate magnetically operated coupler. This unit can be used as a front or rear Couplermate, and has the fixtures to run in either configuration. This amazingly different model of a revolutionary transportation system adds another dimension to the modern railroad picture. This type of innovation in transport means Wabash National will be building Railroads world wide for a long time into the future. deLuxe innovations will be right there with Wabash to provide you with the newest versions of this popular rail/highway system.