April 16, 2025 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the 2025 Premier O Scale Corrugated Auto Carriers in seven different livery configurations this Fall. Each of these offerings is expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in September 2025.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

ABOUT THE PREMIER CORRUGATED AUTO CARRIER

Since the time of the Model T, railroads have played a role in getting automobiles to market. For the first half of the twentieth century, that generally involved automobile boxcars, usually with wide doors and often with end doors as well. But with a capacity of only about four autos, the boxcar was just slightly more economical than an over-the-road auto carrier, which could hold as many or more autos and deliver them right to a dealer’s door.

By 1957, railroads’ percentage of new-car shipments had slipped to a low of less than 10%. That year marked a turning point, however, as the Canadian National Railway fielded an experimental, enclosed 78’ bilevel car that held eight vehicles and had drive-on, drive off capability. The following year, Volkswagen introduced open bi-level cars in Europe that could carry 10 new VWs. The era of bi-level and tri-level open autoracks was born, and railroads’ share of new-car shipments began to climb.

What followed was a decade of experimentation, as railroads and car manufacturers worked together to bring shipping costs down and make the distribution process more efficient. When open auto racks proved prone to vandalism and parts theft, protective sides were added to the open cars, and then end doors and roofs. By 1974, the auto carrier had evolved to the format that continues today: a fully enclosed, extra-height car, about 85’ or longer, with two or three drive-on/drive-off decks, perforated side panels, and full-height end doors. Auto carriers introduced in the past few years can be changed quickly from two decks to three, improving the ability of the railroads to adapt to changes in car production. And where earlier auto carriers could serve only a specific car maker, because each brand used a different type of tie-down to prevent cars from shifting, the introduction of adjustable wheel chocks has made the entire rail fleet more versatile. From its low in the late 1950s, the railroads’ share of the car business has climbed to 70% of U.S. new vehicle shipments today.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

• Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body
• Stamped Metal Floors
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• Die-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
• Fast-Angle Wheel Sets
• Needle-Point Axles
• (2) Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
• Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
• Detailed Brake Wheel
• Separate Metal Handrails
• 1:48 Scale Dimensions
• Unit Measures: 20 1/8" x 2 5/8" x 5 1/16"
• Operates On O-54 Curves

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Scheduled Arrivals Thru April 30, 2025

April 16, 2025 - To review a list of items scheduled for arrival between April 15, 2025, and April 30, 2025, click HERE. Upon the completion of quality assurance inspections, the items will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers and Distributors.

As always, you can stay apprised of the latest shipping dates by using the M.T.H. Product Search tool. Once items have shipped, their individual pages will show the month the item has shipped and a list of retailers reporting the item in stock.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the RailKing O Gauge 40' Box Car in SIX different liveries, including a special MTH 45th Anniversary scheme, this Fall. Each of these offerings is expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in October 2025.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.