Johnstown America begins to fill First Union Rail's auto-carrier order

Johnstown America Corp. recently began delivering the first production AVC™ aluminum vehicle-carrying cars to First Union Rail, which plans to lease 200 of the 90-foot bi-level cars to Canadian National Railway Co.

Featuring doors that automatically lock, AVCs are designed to extend interchange life to 50 years and "operate transparently" in the National Reload Pool, according to a prepared statement.

"Auto shippers will benefit from a softer ride, wider interior, superior door-edge protection and rust-free interior," said Johnstown America Vice President of Automotive Bill Wiles. "A longer-term benefit is that through an AAR exemption, the aluminum superstructure never needs re-certification over its extended life span."

Johnstown America also designs and builds mill gondolas, and aluminum coal, flat, box, intermodal and VersaCoil™ steel-coil cars.