In late 1957, Canadian National introduced a new design and a new concept with its specialized Automobile Double Deck Transporter. Borrowing a page from the automobile box cars of the past, the design allowed new autos to be shipped securely under cover and loaded or unloaded quickly through end doors. What set them apart was the 75' length and the fixed interior loading racks. (Evidence suggests this design may have later influenced the development of high-cube box cars as well as tri-level Auto rack cars.)

Several cars were eventually sold to the Auto Train Corporation, which began operations on December 6, 1971. Once again, the cars were in the Auto hauling business, but this time as part of a privately operated passenger train running nonstop between Virginia and Florida. This novel approach allowed families to relax enroute and save the expense of having to rent a car on arrival.

As financial problems mounted, the Auto Train operation was eventually taken over by Amtrak in the fall of 1983. Today, a pair of Auto Trains run daily (one each north and south bound), with many of these venerable Car Carriers in every consist.

Using all-new tooling, our superb HO Scale models capture the look of this unique and long-lived car. Each model is fully assembled and comes with short or long ladders and optional roof walks to match prototypes from specific times. Other details include separate door details and brake gear, GSC express trucks and working knuckle couplers. The models are offered in four authentic paint schemes; each in both single (932-6220 series) and 2-pack sets (932-26221 series) with three different car numbers.