Athearn ATH14555 HO Scale Vermont Railway (VTR) 40' Beaded Z-Van Highway Trailer
$ 15.84
Description
Athearn ATH14555 HO Scale Vermont Railway (VTR) 40' Beaded Z-Van Highway Trailer. A finely detailed Athearn Ready-to-Roll release of the classic 40-foot beaded-side Z-Van highway trailer. Piggyback Compatibility: Fits perfectly onto standard HO scale 85-foot, 89-foot, or specialized piggyback flatcars from Athearn and other major manufacturers. Item is NEW in box. Exterior of packaging may exhibit minor cosmetic wear. Ships FREE within 1 business day. Athearn ATH14555 – HO Scale Vermont Railway (VTR) 40' Beaded Z-Van Highway Trailer A finely detailed Athearn Ready-to-Roll release of the classic 40-foot beaded-side Z-Van highway trailer. This model is an authentic representation of vintage piggyback trailer equipment, decorated for the Vermont Railway. It functions as a highly accurate piece of rolling scenery, whether loaded onto an 85-foot piggyback flatcar, parked at a busy New England freight terminal, or arranged around a warehouse loading dock. Key Features Beaded-Side Realism: Accurately replicates the structural vertical beaded aluminum panels and rugged nose design characteristic of mid-to-late 20th-century highway trailers. Classic Vermont Railway Graphics: Finished in a clean, prototypical white scheme featuring the sharp red and black Vermont Railway chevron logo, crisp reporting marks, and accurate trailer inventory numbers. Flexible Display Options: Equipped with positionable landing gear, allowing the model to be displayed either raised for over-the-road/flatcar transit or lowered for realistic terminal parking scenes. Detailed Undercarriage: Features a realistic dual-axle suspension layout, detailed mud flaps, rubber tires, and a molded brake reservoir system. Piggyback Compatibility: Fits perfectly onto standard HO scale 85-foot, 89-foot, or specialized piggyback flatcars from Athearn and other major manufacturers. Original Packaging: Arrives brand new in its original factory window-box packaging with a secure internal plastic cradle. Prototype History The 40-foot beaded-side "Z-Van" trailer was a foundational component of early intermodal piggyback service (TOFC - Trailer on Flat Car) pioneered by railroads in the 1960s and 1970s. The Vermont Railway utilized these trailers to offer flexible, door-to-door freight service, connecting local New England industries with national rail networks. The beaded-side construction provided exceptional structural rigidity for rail transit vibrations while maximizing internal volume for palletized goods, paper products, and regional agricultural shipments.
