Union Pacific Railroad Unveils Prototype AutoFlex™ Convertible

Union Pacific Railroad, North America’s largest automotive carrier, have unveiled the AutoFlex™ convertible multi-level rail car for transporting vehicles. Built with leading-edge technology, Union Pacific’s AutoFlex™ rail car is 90 feet long and can be adjusted to accommodate bi-level or tri-level vehicle transport while using the same rack structure.

“Improving safety and efficiency create greater value for our customers,” said Julie Krehbiel, Union Pacific vice president and general manager – Automotive. “With the AutoFlex™ convertible multi-level, we can more easily adjust to changes in consumer purchasing trends and keep our customers’ products moving. This is a newly engineered rail car, not a converted bi-level car, and our engineering group did an outstanding job in developing this new rail car.”

“Results of our preliminary tests have been very promising in terms of vibration, stability and overall ride quality,” said Barry Kanuch, Union Pacific chief mechanical officer. “We are excited about the car’s performance so far.”

Union Pacific holds 15 patents related to the design and process that resulted in developing this rail car.