TTX history

TTX began operations on March 17, 1956 with a fleet of 500 75-foot flatcars.

By 1958, the length of the flatcars used for the piggyback service was increased to 85 feet.

Prior to World War II, the railroad industry had dominated motor vehicle transportation, but as highways improved, the railroads’ share of this market dropped to 10 percent by 1959.

In 1960, the company purchased low-level railcars for its piggyback service in Eastern states, where there were clearance issues in numerous locations.

1961: The company acquires its first 89-foot flatcars.

TTX began supplying 89-foot cars for motor vehicle movement in 1962.

By 1964, 41 railroads, including virtually every major line in the United States, had become a TTX stockholder. (The number of stockholders subsequently decreased to 15 due to mergers and withdrawals from the railroad industry.)

An improved hitch, powered by the tractor used to load and unload the trailer, was introduced in 1966.

In 1968 the company introduced 68-foot flatcars capable of holding 100 tons of cargo.

The company closed its Chicago offices in 1971 and consolidated headquarters and operations in Philadelphia.

In 1973, Trailer Train began to use mobile vans in Chicago and St Louis, providing parts and repair services to railroads that kept railcars in service.

On January 14, 1974, the American Rail Box Car Company, or Railbox, was incorporated as a subsidiary of TTX. At that time, high-quality boxcars were in short supply.

Two years later (1978), Trailer Train opened its second repair facility, located in Mira Loma, California.

Another TTX subsidiary, Railgon Company, was incorporated on May 24, 1979.

In 1980, a third repair facility was opened.

Another repair facility was opened in Jacksonville, Florida in 1981.

In 1984, TTX established its first Field Maintenance Operation (FMO)—an FMO employs mobile repair vehicles to perform running maintenance on TTX cars when necessary, avoiding unproductive trips to repair shops.

TTX acquired its first 320 double-stack cars in 1985.

"Where Intermodal Is Headed: A TT View," Railway Age, March 1990.

In 1991 TTX acquired 21 heavy-duty, depressed-center flatcars for transportation of heavy equipment, including transformers and pressure vessels.

In 1992 TTX continued to supply thousands of 89-foot flatcars for this service.

Also, heavy-duty flatcars became part of the TTX fleet.In 1995, Reload, a company that managed the distribution of autoracks, was absorbed by TTX. The same year, the company began adding articulated bi-level railcars to its fleet.

TTX bought its first 53-foot double-stack railcars in 1999.

Since 2000, TTX has continued to expand and innovate.

According to a 2003 Crain's Chicago Business article, the exemption was granted so that small rail lines could afford intermodal equipment.

According to a July 2004 company press release, the company was working to extend the length of the platform on five-unit spine cars from 48-feet to 53-feet.

As more and more wind farms were started to generate electricity, railcars able to carry windmill components became part of the fleet in 2008.