N Scale Gunderson Maxi-Stack III
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By the late 80's, double stack trains had become the standard method for moving international 20' and 40' containers. But 48' containers for domestic service were becoming more common and that presented a problem for the railroads. The Twinstacks, Lo-Pac 2000's and Maxi-Stacks could only carry 48' containers in the upper position. If the domestic boxes outnumbered the international boxes, the extras would be left behind. Then in 1989, Gunderson introduced the Maxi-Stack III. This articulated car featured five 48' wells which could each carry 20', 24', 40', 45' or 48' containers in the bottom position and 40', 45', 48' or 53' containers in the top position. The Maxi-III was an immediate hit with the intermodal community.
Our model of these five unit cars features precision die cast metal bodies for superior tracking, even when empty. There is no need to add weight to the containers, in fact that will raise the center of gravity. The brake detail, end platforms, container bumpers and articulators are injection molded plastic, and all the walkways, steps, grab irons and lift rings are see-through etched stainless steel. They are equipped with body mounted Micro-Trains Line operating knuckle couplers. Like the prototype, the DeLuxe Maxi-III will fit all standardized 48' or shorter containers in the bottom position and all 40' or longer containers in the upper position. The box has vacu-formed nests with removable container inserts allowing it to be used as a storage and carrying case empty or loaded with containers. Be sure to save the container inserts for transporting them empty or damage may result. The DeLuxe Maxi-III is engineered to run on a minimum radius of 9-3/4".
Click HERE for more Maxi-III tips
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SP Speedletter Maxi-Stack III
Set 1 #211001, Set 2 #211011
Southern Pacific purchased a fleet of almost 400 Maxi-III's. This is our second paint scheme for Southern Pacific.
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BNSF ex-BN America Maxi-Stack III
Set 1 #210901, Set 2 #210902, $94.95 each
BNSF inherited Gunderson Maxi-Stack III's from both of its chief predecessors, Santa Fe and Burlington Northern. These former BN cars, both carrying the large BN "wrenches" logo, have been renumbered BNSF with the use of a BNSF Mineral Red patch and new white numbers. Originally built to concentrate on domestic container service, the move toward 53' domestic containers and a huge increase in international container traffic has led BNSF's Maxi-IIIs to see more use in international stack train service in recent years.
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Santa Fe Maxi III Set 1 #210801, Set 2 #210811
Santa Fe may have been a late comer to double stack technology, but once they got started, they quickly became a major factor. These Santa Fe cars are numbered SFLC for their Santa Fe Leasing Co. subsidiary, likely for tax and financing reasons. This fleet continues in operation today for BNSF.
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BNSF Maxi-Stack III Set 1 #210701, Set 2 #210711
BNSF's Maxi-Stack IIIs were among the last built of this car type. The surge in intermodal traffic in the late 90's put them on the spot. Although 53' containers were becoming more common, tens of thousands of 48' domestic boxes remained in daily service and the maximum length of an international container was (and remains today) 45'. BNSF determined that the 5x48' well combination (with the ability to carry 53' boxes in the upper position) was the most flexible combination while simultaniously keeping costs and train length in check.
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Trailer Train Maxi-Stack III
Set 1 #210601, Set 2 #210611
Trailer Train was established by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 50s and grew into a huge equipment pool shared by most Class 1 railroads. Trailer Train changed their name to TTX Corp in 1992 and has gradually been repainting its huge fleet ever since.
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American President Lines Maxi-Stack III
Set 1 #210501, Set 2 #210511
American President Lines acquired Maxi IIIs early to accomodate their growing domestic container business. Before that, APL's 48' boxes vied for space in the top positions of 40' well cars. These cars currently serve Pacer Stacktrain, most in their original paint with patched over reporting marks and numbers.
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Southern Pacific Double Stack 125 Service
Set 1 #210401, Set 2 #210411
Southern Pacific purchased a fleet of almost 400 Maxi III's. These cars are decorated for their Double Stack 125 Service.
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CSX Intermodal Maxi-Stack III
Set 1 #210301, Set 2 #210311
CSX Intermodal provides rail and trucking services through a network of trucks, terminals, containers and trains in the United States. The company, which operates as a subsidiary of CSX Corporation, was founded in 1988 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Burlington Northern
Set 1 #210201, Set 2 #210211
Burlington Northern had an extensive fleet of stack cars and a significant percentage were Gunderson Maxi-IIIs. These models feature the original BN reporting marks and the large BN "wrenches" logo (some BN cars carried a smaller version.)
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TTX Maxi-Stack III
Set 1 #210101, Set 2 #210111, Set 3 #210121, Set 4 #210131,
Set 5 210135, Set 6 #210136
TTX Corporation operates a huge pool of intermodal rail cars for its owners, the major railroads of the US and Canada. Predecessor Trailer Train was established by the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 1950s and grew into a huge equipment pool shared by most Class 1 railroads. Trailer Train changed their name to TTX Corp in 1992 and has gradually been repainting its huge fleet ever since.
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