August 10, 2021
You’ve seen finished vehicles being shipped over the road on large car hauler trucks, but did you know they also travel by train?
In fact, freight rail moves nearly 75% of the new cars and light trucks purchased in the U.S. each year. According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR), in 2019 alone, automakers sold 17 million cars and light trucks in the United States, an achievement made possible by freight railroads and the larger integrated transportation network.
Needless to say, it is clear rail plays a big role in shipping the automobiles we drive. So, what type of rail equipment helps transport finished vehicles from origin to destination? The answer is: an autorack.
For an in-depth look at all things related to autoracks and how they safely transport cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles, read on.
An autorack is designed to ship domestic and imported automobiles, including cars, trucks, SUVs and vans by rail.
Autoracks are made of metal and are entirely enclosed to protect vehicles from the elements. Metal “racks” inside create levels (also referred to as “decks”) within the rail car. Having multiple levels within the rail cars maximizes shipping space by allowing vehicles to be safely stacked during transport without causing damage to the vehicle.
There are several types of automobile rack cars designed to handle various vehicle sizes: bi-level, tri-level and uni-level. Autoracks are fully enclosed, which substantially reduces damage from theft, vandalism and the elements.
How Loading an Autorack Rail Car Works
Vehicles are loaded onto and off of auto racks by portable ramps, which allow vehicles to be driven onto or off the rail car. Keeping safety in mind, cars are loaded at a very slow speed to ensure they remain damage free.
Once a vehicle is loaded onto a rail car, auto ramp professionals secure each wheel to the rail car with special straps or chocks to keep it securely in place during transit.
Shippers can rely on the AAR for established guidelines, loading diagrams and resources for safe securement in transit. The automotive industry and AAR work closely together to design, develop and continuously improve the way vehicles are shipped. As always, it is important to consult with the railroad before shipping any product to ensure it is properly loaded, secured and meets AAR requirements.
How Unloading an Autorack Rail Car Works
Upon arrival at an auto ramp near its final destination, the car is inspected, then unloaded from the rail car and parked in an assigned bay at a storage lot. Typically, a car hauler will then pick up the vehicle with others heading to the same car dealership after a visual inspection. After the car has safely arrived and is unloaded at the dealership, it is inspected one last time to ensure there are no scratches, dings or dents.
Since the first Model-T rolled off the assembly line in the early 1900s, rail has played a role in shipping automobiles to destinations across the country and overseas.
Up until the 1960s, railroads typically used a modified boxcar, retrofitted with racks installed to carry multiple vehicles. As the demand for new automobiles grew and to stay competitive with trucks hauling six or more cars over the road at one time, railroads designed a new rail car dedicated to transporting finished vehicles. The new rail car design could hold 10 or more vehicles, allowing car manufacturers to ship a large number of autos on one train. Hence, the “autorack” was born. The autorack design has evolved over the years to become one of the most broadly used pieces of rail equipment today.
There are many reasons why auto shippers use autorack rail cars to transport their finished vehicles.
To learn more about autoracks or shipping finished vehicles by rail, get in touch.
Want to learn more about other types of rail car equipment, including boxcars, flatcars, gondolas and covered hoppers? Check out our rail car type guide.
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