Model Railroading > Atlas Santa Fe Articulated Auto Carrier For Real?

Can any TO confirm that Atlas' new Articulated Auto Carrier in Santa Fe's rarely seen big blue logo with long trailing blue stripes on white is for real or a foobie? Atlas' #20 005 830. 

Foobie

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Santa Fe did have an articulated auto carrier, but it was 3 sections instead of 2

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/20705.aspx

Santa Fe worked with Trinity on the three section articulated auto carrier prototype.  One end of the car had a draft gear that extended out too far for bridge plates to work and had to be spotted seperately to unload and demonstrate what the car could do.  Mechanically it performed well.  Then Santa Fe worked with Wabash National to design the 3 unit articulated AllRailer that could convert between a bi and tri level configuration.  The prototype worked well mechanically and operationally.  The other unit was the Autorailer that could either carry on one level with trucks or two levels with autos.  This was based on the Roadrailer design.  The trailer was taller to accomodate the racking system and was on 19 inch trailer wheels to comply with 13 foot 6 inch height restrictions.  It was a mechanical and operational success.  Neither of the Wabash designs were market successes.  The auto manufacturers at that point in time were talking about delivering a factory fresh vehicle to their dealers and Santa Fe was coming up with designs to meet their new goals.  These three car prototypes were in the 1993-1995 time period.  Out of that the AutoMax and Thrall Articulated car came into being and accepted by the manufacturers.  The 89 foot car carriers kept evolving during this time too.

Jim Wilson

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