{"product_id":"mth-20-95131-o-kansas-city-southern-ettx-corrugated-auto-carrier","title":"MTH 20-95131 O Kansas City Southern ETTX Corrugated Auto Carrier","description":"This is a MTH 2095131 O Kansas City Southern ETTX Enclosed Corrugated Auto Carrier - 3-Rail - Ready to Run. Since the time of the Model T, railroads have played a role in getting automobiles to market. For the first half of the twentieth century, that generally involved automobile boxcars, usually with wide doors and often with end doors as well. But with a capacity of only about four autos, the boxcar was just slightly more economical than an over-the-road auto carrier, which could hold as many or more autos and deliver them right to a dealer's door.By 1957, railroads' percentage of new-car shipments had slipped to a low of less than 10%. That year marked a turning point, however, as the Canadian National Railway fielded an experimental, enclosed 78' bilevel car that held eight vehicles and had drive-on, drive off capability. The following year, Volkswagen introduced open bi-level cars in Europe that could carry 10 new VWs. The era of bi-level and tri-level open autoracks was born, and railroads' share of new-car shipments began to climb. What followed was a decade of experimentation, as railroads and car manufacturers worked together to bring shipping costs down and make the distribution process more efficient. When open auto racks proved prone to vandalism and parts theft, protective sides were added to the open cars, and then end doors and roofs. By 1974, the auto carrier had evolved to the format that continues today: a fully enclosed, extra-height car, about 85' or longer, with two or three drive-on\/drive-off decks, perforated side panels, and full-height end doors. Auto carriers introduced in the past few years can be changed quickly from two decks to three, improving the ability of the railroad to adapt to changes in car production. And where earlier auto carriers could serve only a specific car maker, because each brand used a different type of tie-down to prevent cars from shifting, the introduction of adjustable wheel chocks has made the entire rail fleet more versatile. From its low in the late 1950s, the railroads' share of the car business has climbed to 70% of U.S. new vehicle shipments today. MTH Premier O Scale freight cars are the perfect complement to any manufacturer's scale proportioned O Gauge locomotives. Whether you prefer to purchase cars separately or assemble a unit train, MTH Premier Rolling Stock has the cars for you in a variety of car types and paint schemes. Virtually every sturdy car is offered in two car numbers which makes it even easier than ever to combine them into a mult-car consist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Factory New (\u003ca href=\"#\" title=\"C-9: All original; unused; factory rubs and evidence of handling, shipping and factory test run. Standards for all toy train related accessory items apply to the visual appearance of the item and do not consider the operating functionality of the equipment. Condition and Grading Standards are subjective, at best, and are intended to act as a guide.\"\u003eC-9\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperational Status:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"#\" title=\"This item is brand new from the factory.\"\u003eFunctional\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Box:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes (\u003ca href=\"#\" title=\"May have store stamps and price tags. Has inner liners.\"\u003eP-9\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e MTH\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20-95131\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoad Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kansas City Southern (KCS)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale\/Era:\u003c\/strong\u003e O Modern\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Freight Cars \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Trainz SKU for this item is P12113482. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 6px !important; color: #d3d3d3 !important; line-height: 8px !important;\"\u003eTrainz Product Id: 12113482\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"MTH","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44117662957690,"sku":"P12113482","price":93.28,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1260\/4747\/files\/3798783_3485daa2-d196-4853-8377-06e040648e2d.jpg?v=1777317482","url":"https:\/\/www.trainz.com\/products\/mth-20-95131-o-kansas-city-southern-ettx-corrugated-auto-carrier","provider":"Trainz","version":"1.0","type":"link"}