Description
For Sale: Vertical Rack Beam Autorack Car (25/bag) PN#690
As seen in the photo. There are 25 per bag. 3D printed using ABS. May come in various colors based on our filament stock. If you want a specific color, let us know and we will try to accommodate.
(Note: Original metal vertical rack is not for sale and shown in photos for comparison only.)
Vertical rack beams in autorack cars were structural supports that enabled multi-level vehicle transport.
What Were Vertical Rack Beams Used For?
- Support multi-level decks: These beams anchored the upper and lower vehicle decks inside the autorack car.
- Stabilize vehicle loads: They kept the car’s structure rigid during transit, reducing sway and vibration.
- Guide vehicle placement: In some designs, they helped align vehicles during loading, especially in tri-level autoracks.
Why Were They Important?
- Structural integrity: Without vertical rack beams, the car couldn’t safely support two or three stacked decks of vehicles.
- Safety during transit: They minimized flexing and twisting of the car body, protecting vehicles from damage.
- Efficient loading: Their placement allowed for consistent spacing and secure anchoring of ramps and tie-downs.S
Some older autorack designs, especially tri-level racks on 89-foot flatcars, could have up to 12 vertical rack beams per side. These were used to support the multi-deck structure and maintain rigidity across the long span of the car.
Why So Many Vertical Rack Beams?
- Structural necessity: Longer autorack cars (85–89 feet) needed more vertical rack beams to prevent flexing and maintain deck alignment.
- Tri-level configurations: These carried up to 15 vehicles per car, requiring stronger support between decks.
- Early rack designs: Before integrated side panels became common, vertical beams were the primary load-bearing elements.
Below: True-to-life image of a tri-level autorack with 12 vertical rack beams per side — each beam evenly spaced to support the multi-deck structure. It’s mounted on an 89-foot flatcar, with perforated metal panels and a tall, enclosed frame designed for maximum vehicle capacity.
Quality-Craft-Tri-level-Auto-Rack-Drawings.pdf
