Kato 106-5508 - Amtrak Autorack Phase III - Autotrain - 4 Car Set #2
Road numbers :- 9116, 9117, 9119, 9122
The Autorack (or "Auto Carrier") is a piece of railroad rolling stock built for a specific purpose - to transport cars. Commonly used to transport cars from the manufacturer to larger automotive distributors (before they're loaded onto the semis that are commonly seen on highways), they are also used on services such as Amtrak's Auto Train - a special train which operates between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL in which passengers can load their cars aboard any one of the 20-30 trailing Autorack cars and enjoy a luxurious ride down the United States' east coast, the end of which they can take their car with them for the continuation of their journey.
This particular type of Autorack is quite modern - first introduced in 2004 in Canada, this fully enclosed autorack is built with an Aluminum shell that is more weather resistant than the older style "open" or "grated" Autorack cars, and with a roomier interior and smoother ride that better protects the cars within.