HO Autoracks and Auto CARriers



Our 'HO' Bi Level and Tri Level Autorack side panels are in stock and available!!!!!!!!

Yes our long over due - speculated - discussed - forgotten - given up on —- Autorack panels really are available. Several years ago Wm. K. Walthers started producing Bi-level Autorack models in HO scale (please don’t remind us of that date!). We jumped up and said “We can make stainless steel side panels for that car!”. Yep, we could and we did that same year - well - kind’a did. Finding a way to form the corrugations in the panels created the real problem/delay. Over the years we have talked to several tool makers about making a stamp to make those corrugations and even tried etching them in the panels. Never getting the positive answer or look we hoped for, we “shelved the project” several times waiting for new hope. That new hope has finally arrived and we are happy these Autorack Panels have finally come to life!!! And not just one set with no options, but several sets for both the Wm. K. Walthers Bi-level cars and the Wm. K. Walthers Tri-level cars that have also been in production for several years (again - no date reminders please!).
Do you have some questions? Let us first make a few points
  • Each set contains the following
    ---18 panels
    ---36 .030” x .030” styrene strips to mount the panels on
    ---108+ locking tabs to hold the panels in place
  • And should our sets not meet your prototype configurations, I have 'Mix and Match Kits' for you.
  • You do not have to cut out any of the car to install these panels. You will have to remove the existing plastic panels if your models are assembled. The supplied styrene will bring the metal panels out about flush with the body posts. Should want to, you can cut the body up to give you that see through look these panels will give you. If you do this, please send us photos and how you did it. We will post it here. On our customer photo page we have posted some photos of autoracks sent to us. Check them out!
  • As for back grounds behind the panels, here are some suggestions;
    ---Painting the back ground white would appear to be an empty car during the day
    ---Painting the back ground black would draw less attention to background (subject to debate?)
    ---Paint the back ground white and then paint black silhouettes of vehicles to give illusion of loaded autorack.
    ---With the quality of printers now days, and the use of digital cameras, make loads for enclosed autoracks may be easy. (stay with me on this....) Go out and take photos of both sides of the auto or truck you wish to have in your autorack. Using your favorite photo editing software, insert each image in same group. Spread them apart so when you print them out on glossy photo paper, you can cut them out, fold them up and have side images of about any vehicle desired. Once inside and enclose rack, a person would have to get REAL close to see they are just photos. If you are not cutting the sides out for the see through look, paint the background white, cut the vehicle side view image out and attach it to the side of the car behind the metal panels. While they may be hard to see real well, a true modeler will see them and admire your work! I hope you get the idea of what I am trying to say. Someday I hope to post this idea online to actually "show" you what I mean (along with several other of my 'dream ideas'! Send us your ideas to share here.
    ---Promotex has announced (Oct. 24 2003) they will be producing one piece, inexpensive, replicas of vehicles from the 40s to the 60s. While these cars would not be correct for an enclosed autorack, as hard as it will be to accurately see what cars are in there, these cars may fill the car giving a cool illusion and add extra weight at the same time.
  • For those who have undecorated models, they can now be built (I can't be the only one........), here is a list of decals for autoracks. Take the number you need with you when you go to your local hobby dealer to get your panel sets.

    The following list is of "sets" available. Italic descriptions are new releases.


    Part# Description Price
    325 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - all panels perforated - Wm.K.Walthers car $26.00
    326 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - Large-mid solid logo panel - one per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $26.00
    327 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - Large-top solid logo panels - SP style - two per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $26.00
    328 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - Small-mid solid logo panel - one per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $26.00
    329 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - Small-double solid logo panel - UP style #1- one per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $26.00
    330 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - Large double slogan panels and small double solid logo panel - UP style #2
    one each per side Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $26.00
    338 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - all panels perforated - Wm.K.Walthers car $27.00
    339 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - Large-mid solid logo panel - one per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.00
    340 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - Large-top solid logo panels - SP style - two per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.00
    341 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - Small-mid solid logo panel - one per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.00
    342 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - Small-double solid logo panel - UP style #1- one per side
    Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.00
    343 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - Large double slogan panels and small double solid logo panel - UP style #2
    one each per side Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.00

    Mix and match Kits
    Originaly, I felt that no matter how many set configurations I put together, I would still over look one or two or..... So instead I picked some simple configurations and then but together some 'Extra Panel Kits'. These kits contained a pair of panels with a solid logo panel in the second (B) position from the top and the modeler would have to buy extra panels to add to other sets allowing them to match their prototype. Yep, you would end up with extra panels left over.

    While developing the N scale panels, more and more variations were discovered. Trying to figure out a way to cover all these variations but not make a complete set for each, I thought, "why not have a End panels kit and Center panels kit?". So I developed a Mix and Match Kits system that should allow you to match about any prototype enclosed autorack on rails at one time or another.

    The End panel kits contain the outer two panels on each end of the car, both sides, for a total of eight panels. At this time all but one of the large panels are the 'all perforated' panels. The small panels are the main difference here. Perforated, blank-flat and blank-formed (corrigated) are the differences.

    The center panels kits are the five large panels in the center of the car, both sides, for a total of ten panels. Again, perforated, blank-flat and blank-formed(corrigated) are the differences. All blank panels in these kits are the second from the top.

    Please note that the large end panels and center panels are NOT interchangeable. The large end panels have a special notch to fit the model.


    Here is a list of the Mix and Match kits

    Bi-Level End Panels "C" kits must be combined with a Center Panels "D" kit to detail one complete model.




    Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "C" Kits
    Part# Description Price
    #13351 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "C" Kit
    Regular all perforated panels - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $12.00
    #13352 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "C" Kit
    Small Blank Flat Logo Panel - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $12.00
    #13353 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "C" Kit
    Small Blank Formed Logo Panel - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $12.00
    #13354 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "C" Kit
    Large Right hand Blank Mid panel (CR prototype) - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 08/02/04
    Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "D" Kits
    Part# Description Price
    #13361 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "D" Kit
    Single Blank Flat Logo Panel - one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $14.00
    #13362 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "D" Kit
    Double Blank Flat Logo Panel - two per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $14.00
    #13366 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "D" Kit
    Single Blank Formed Logo Panel - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $14.00
    #13367 Bi-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "D" Kit
    Double Blank Formed Logo Panels - two per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $14.00

    Tri-Level End Panels "E" kits must be combined with a Center Panels "G" kit to detail one complete model.




    Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "E" Kits
    Part# Description Price
    #13351 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "E" Kit
    Regular all perforated panels - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $15.00
    #13352 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "E" Kit
    Small Blank Flat Logo Panel - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $12.50
    #13353 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "E" Kit
    Small Blank Formed Logo Panel - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $12.50
    #13354 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Outer End Panels "E" Kit
    Large Right hand Blank Mid panel (CR prototype) - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 08/02/04
    Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "G" Kits
    Part# Description Price
    #13361 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "G" Kit
    Single Blank Flat Logo Panel - one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $14.50
    #13362 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "G" Kit
    Double Blank Flat Logo Panel - two per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $14.50
    #13366 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "G" Kit
    Single Blank Formed Logo Panel - one per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $14.50
    #13367 Tri-Level Enclosed Autorack Center Panels "G" Kit
    Double Blank Formed Logo Panels - two per side - Wm.K.Walthers car    		 $14.50


    Extra panels kits. there is a very good chance I will drop these kits from the line.


    Part# Description Price
    335 Bi-Level Extra Panel Kit - Large Mid Solid Logo Panels (pair) - Wm.K.Walthers car $4.50
    336 Bi-Level Extra Panel Kit - Small Mid Solid Logo Panels (pair) - Wm. K. Walthers car $4.00
    348 Tri-Level Extra Panel Kit - Large Mid Solid Logo Panels (pair) - Wm. K. Walthers car $4.50
    349 Tri-Level Extra Panel Kit - Small Mid Solid Logo Panels (pair) - Wm. K. Walthers car $4.00

    As mentioned previously, I have also developed autorack panels to represent the newer 6% reduced holes style panels. These panels are the ones with variously spaced columns of holes. Some information I received from Jim Panza about these, 'The 6% side screening was adopted by the AAR for new racks when Thrall redesigned the autoracks in 1992. The requirement for a rebuilt rack, just as with the car, states that the car will be brought up to meet the requirement for a new rack. Therefore, when the railroads began to rebuild their racks, the racks had to be equipped with the 6% screening.

    Like the earlier style panel sets I offer, all sets include the 18 panels and 36 styrene strips to mount the panels on and keep them flush with the side posts. You may be happy that the 108 mounting pins are not used in these sets. Instead, I have developed some parts to represent the Anti-Vandal Bars. These Anti-Vandal Bars are the strips of metal between the individual panels that cover the slots between panels you see on older style panels. They bolt to the holes in the panels.

    With the little nuts and bolts I have developed, you are paying attention aren't you? Just checking.

    Actually, the bars I developed are strips of stainless with a mounting pin on each end. Bending the pins and inserting into holes drill by you, the modeler, they are used to hold the panels in place. The bars also have little dimples in them to represent a bolt location. I know, bolts stick out not in. It's an illusion thing.

    With the reduced number of roads now days, there are not very many configurations needed to cover what I have found. Here is the listing of initial 6% reduced hole sets I am producing. If anyone knows of one I missed, please let me know.




    Bi-Level Autorack 6% Reduced Holes Panels with Anti-Vandal Bars
    Part# Description Price
    #13255 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - all panels perforated - Wm.K.Walthers car $27.25
    13265 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large Blank Flat Mid Logo Panel
    one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.25
    13266 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large Blank Formed Mid Logo Panels
    one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.25
    13295 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Small-double solid logo panel
    UP style #1 - one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.25
    13305 Bi-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large double slogan panels and small double solid logo panel
    UP style #2 - one each per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $27.25
    Tri-Level Autorack 6% Reduced Holes Panels with Anti-Vandal Bars
    Part# Description Price
    13385 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - all panels perforated - Wm.K.Walthers car $28.25
    13395 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large Blank Flat Mid Logo Panel
    one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $28.25
    13396 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large Blank Formed Mid Logo Panels
    one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $28.25
    13425 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Small-double solid logo panel
    U.P. style #1 - one per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $28.25
    13435 Tri-Level Autorack Panel Set - 6% Reduced Holes - Large double slogan panels and small double solid logo panel
    U.P. style #2 - one each per side - Wm. K. Walthers car    		 $28.25

    And if you like variety, I saw a few photos of early style panels with Anti-Vandal Bars applied across the slot opening. BN is one road I recall seeing this done on. I will try to note others should I come across more. Anyway, the Anti-Vandal bars are available seperately should you care to model this variation.


    Enclosed Autorack Anti-Vandal Bars
    Part# Description Price
    13371 Bi-Level Autorack Anti-Vandal Bars Set - Wm.K.Walthers car $ 7.25
    13372 Tri-Level Autorack Anti-Vandal Bars Set - Wm. K. Walthers car $ 7.25

    Is it a boxcar or Autorack????? What ever you call it, we have some details for it. Walthers produces a 75ft Autocar that is / was used by Amtrak and Autotrain. Two kits are available for this model. One of them is a walkway and full length ladder kit. The other is a short ladder kit.

    Part# Description Price
    210 75ft Auto Car roofwalk and ladders - Apex pattern $6.75
    211 75ft Auto Car Short Ladders $3.00


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