F68 Bulkhead Flat Car

Prototype Information

For nearly five decades, the Bethlehem Steel Co. (BSC) F68-series of flatcars has served Trailer Train Co., crisscrossing the U.S., Canada, and Mexico hauling a staggering variety of loads. Introduced in 1969, the F68-series of 100-ton, 68’ foot long (over end sills) flats represented a new generation of high capacity flats. Extremely versatile, the basic design could be equipped from the factory with a variety of appliances… end bulkheads, “finger racks”, and wood or steel plain decks… to handle different loadings on Trailer Train’s member railroads.

The first production version to be built, the F68AH, was initially equipped with 10’, 11” tall end bulkheads with wood facing, wood deck with integral tie-down channels, and steel deck risers. These 100-ton cars came equipped with 36” wheels, trucks equipped with hydraulic snubbers (at opposite corners of the car), and 15” EOCC to improve ride quality, and reduce dangerous shifting loads. The first group, TTPX 80001-80245, were built by BSC between July and December 1969. These hulking cars were striking in appearance compared to smaller flatcars built only a few years prior. They proved to be successful, with additional groups of cars being built in additional lots up through the year 1974.