Wisconsin Central
Wisconsin Central
Auto Transport, Pioneers To Present
During the early years of the automobile industry your choice of a vehicle largely depended on where you lived. The earliest ones were hand-built in limited quantities and distributed locally. Charles and Frank Duryea built their horseless carriages in Springfield, Massachusetts. Alexander Winton manufactured gas-power vehicles in Cleveland and Albert Pope produced Waverly electrics in Indianapolis. A group of young upstarts led by David Dunbar Buick, Ransom Olds and Henry Ford built a variety of gas, electric and steam-powered runabouts and sedans in Detroit.
As automobiles became both more reliable and affordable, they also became more popular. Growing demand meant manufacturers' could no longer rely solely on selling vehicles from the factory gates. William Metzger is credited with opening the first independent car dealership in Detroit in 1897. About the same time, H.O. Kohller opened the first franchised car dealership, selling Waverly electrics in Reading, Pennsylvania. Manufacturers used factory drivers, rail and boats to transport their products to a growing network of independent and franchise dealers.
Early Ford models were often encased in large wooden boxes and loaded on open railcars directly outside the Mack Avenue plant and later the Highland Park factory. Railcars would be shuttled to the Michigan Central, Grand Trunk or Soo Line terminal and rushed to anxious buyers. When they arrived at their final destination, a Ford mechanic would complete the final assembly of the vehicle, often using pieces of the wooded box for the floor and running boards.
The 1909 Sears, Roebuck & Company catalog advertised the Sears Motor Buggy for $395 or $370 without fenders or top, plus shipping to the nearest Train Station.
In 1902 there had been one car for every 1.5 million people in the country; two years later the ratio shrunk to one for every 65,000 people; and by 1909, after the introduction of the Model T, there was one car for every 800 people.
Reliable and affordable auto transport by road, rail and water was essential to the growth of the early automotive industry.
In 1910, the Toledo Shipbuilding Company produced the first Steel Car ferry for the Ann Arbor Railroad. The vessel, named Ann Arbor no. 5, was 360 feet long with a 56-foot beam and could carry up to 24 railway box cars, each loaded with four or five new automobiles. Leaving Ludington, Michigan, and arriving in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the railcars and automobiles were then transported west by the Wisconsin Central and North Western railroads.
In 1920, when Ford opened the River Rouge Manufacturing Complex, it included ninety different buildings and 93 miles of Railroad Track to bring in materials essential to manufacturing automobiles, as well as transporting completed automobiles to market. The River Rouge was deepened and widened to accommodate deepwater ships needed to transport materials and automobiles through the Great Lakes and beyond. Ford also acquired the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad with 454 miles of main track to bring coal into the plant and ship manufactured automobiles from Detroit to Ironton on the Ohio River.
Through the 1940s and 1950s virtually every car and truck produced in the United States was transported by a car hauler, railcar or boat. In 1958 the first Toyotas and Nissans were exported to the United States. In 1967 the Volkswagen Beetle invaded American shores. Over the next forty years, countless other German, Japanese and Asian brands have been transported across the Atlantic and Pacific in ocean carriers, and then shipped to local dealerships by rail and truck.
The automotive landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. However, the need for affordable and reliable auto transport continues to be a critical factor in the growth and profitability of automotive dealerships and remarketers.
Today, a new generation of customer-focused auto transport brokers is helping used car dealers, auto auctions, finance companies and fleet operators affordably and reliably transport cars and trucks anywhere in the United States.
By integrating both short-distance truck transport and long-distance rail service options they offer the flexibility to use the shipping mode that best meets practically any price and timing requirement. Leading auto transport brokers also provide instant price quotes and estimated transit times for door-to-door pickup and delivery anywhere in the United States. Vehicles are transported using industry-leading processes and safeguards to help ensure on-time, damage free transport and delivery by reputable, fully-insured auto transport carriers and service providers.
The early pioneers in the automotive industry relied on engineering innovations and emerging auto transport networks to ensure their success. Today's smart used car dealers, auto auctions, finance companies and fleet operators can rely on a new generation of customer-focused auto transport brokers to help ensure the growth and profitability of their business.
About the Author
About ShipCarsNow
ShipCarsNow offers auto shipping nationwide providing used car shippers a robust and responsive vehicle delivery network to handle long distance and volume shipments. Our rail and truck resources enable you to receive lower prices, reach more markets and improve profits. Visit http://www.shipcarsnow.com.
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Athearn Blue Box PS5344 WC Box car |  |
1 Bid | US $5.00 | 2h 12m |
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5 ROUNDHOSE KITSALL IN ORG BOXESMILW BOXGNBOXWISCCENTRAL PLUG BOX2 MSL | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 5h 34m |
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AJcc 57` FGE WISCONSIN CENTRAL MECHANICAL REEFER NICE CAR | |
0 Bid | US $8.95 | 5h 42m |
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HO scale Athearn RTR WC Wisconsin Central 50 SD Railbox Car | |
0 Bid | US $7.45 | 7h 59m |
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HO scale Athearn RTR Wisconsin Central 57 Mechanical Reefer | |
0 Bid | US $8.45 | 7h 59m |
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HO scale Walthers RTR WC Wisconsin Central 100 Ton Cement Covered Hopper | |
1 Bid | US $9.95 | 8h 2m |
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HO scale Walthers RTR WC Wisconsin Central 57 Mechanical Reefer | |
0 Bid | US $10.95 | 8h 2m |
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Athearn 187 HO 7055 50 Railbox Car Wisconsin Central 20245 | |
1 Bid | US $.99 | 8h 3m |
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HO scale Con Cor RTR WC Wisconsin Central 54 Gondola | |
1 Bid | US $7.45 | 8h 4m |
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HO scale Con Cor NIB WC Wisconsin Central 54 Mill Gondola | |
1 Bid | US $7.95 | 8h 4m |
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ATHEARN HO SD 45 WISCONSIN CENTRAL POWERED CUSTOM PAINTED DETAILED RD 7525 N R | |
0 Bid | US $59.99 | 8h 10m |
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N scale Atlas RTR WC Wisconsin Central ACF Centerflow Hopper | |
0 Bid | US $7.95 | 8h 27m |
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N scale Atlas RTR WC Wisconsin Central 53 Evans DPD Box Car Weathered | |
0 Bid | US $6.95 | 8h 27m |
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N scale Con Cor RTR WC Wisconsin Central Model Railroader 60th Annversary | |
0 Bid | US $4.95 | 8h 27m |
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N Scale Atlas RTR WC Wisconsin Central PS2 Covered Hopper | |
0 Bid | US $7.95 | 8h 27m |
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Athearn HO scale 50 Box Car Wisconsin Central WC20245 item 7055 | |
0 Bid | US $10.95 | 11h 57m |
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Athearn HO scale 50 PC F Box Car Wisconsin Central WC12022 item 89177 | |
0 Bid | US $14.95 | 12h 9m |
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Athearn HO scale 50 PC F Box Car Wisconsin Central WC12135 item 89178 | |
0 Bid | US $14.95 | 12h 21m |
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HO ExactRail Custom Weathered Wisconsin Central P C F 50 Boxcar New from Box | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 23h 42m |
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CUSTOM Wisconsin Central WV Caboose Nice | |
1 Bid | US $19.99 | 1d 8h 37m |
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N MTL WC 50 box car Wisconsin Central rd 27102 | |
1 Bid | US $5.82 | 1d 13h 8m |
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N MTL WC 50 box car Wisconsin Central rd 27114 | |
1 Bid | US $5.82 | 1d 13h 11m |
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Lionel Operating Freight Expansion Pack | |
0 Bid | US $100.00 | 1d 23h 25m |
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HO Scale 65 Mill Gondola 2 Pk Wisconsin Central 65017 65034 Walthers | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 2d 5h 16m |
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HO CUSTOM PAINTED KATO SPECIAL EDITION WISCONSIN CENTRAL WC 731 GP35 PHASE Ia | |
0 Bid | US $72.99 | 2d 7h 11m |
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Walthers HO Gunderson 50 Hi Cube Box Car WC 21551 | |
0 Bid | US $19.99 | 2d 7h 35m |
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Walthers HO Wisconsin Central Soo Line 68129 53 Thral | |
0 Bid | US $18.81 | 2d 8h 23m |
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CON COR N SCALE WISCONSIN CENTRAL 50 Panel Door Box Car | |
0 Bid | US $6.99 | 2d 8h 29m |
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HO Wathers Gold Line Wisconsin Central 40 Ortner Aggregate Car 3 Pack | |
0 Bid | US $42.95 | 2d 8h 39m |
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MTL 27210 Wisconsin Central 50ft Plug Door Box Car | |
0 Bid | US $15.39 | 7h 53m |
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HO SCALE PS2 CD 4427 High Side Covered Hopper Wisconsin Central 82006 | |
0 Bid | US $19.98 | 2d 10h 27m |
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ATHEARN WISCONSIN CENTRAL Road 111 40 Offset Ballast Hopper Item 95698 | |
0 Bid | US $17.00 | 2d 10h 38m |
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genesis HO scaleRARE Wisconsin Central train with custom grafitti | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 2d 10h 52m |
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CUSTOM MTL 27000 WC MR 60 YEARS 26173 N SCALE | |
0 Bid | US $30.00 | 2d 11h 5m |
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Bachmann N Scale Train Diesel GP50 Analog Wisconsin Central 61297 | |
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US $27.02 | 25d 1h 37m |
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Lionel 6 36898 Wisconsin Central Log Dump Car LN | |
2 Bids | US $1.29 | 9h 53m |
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Lot of FOUR 4 HO Scale freight cars 3 Walthers 1 Atlas Various Roads | |
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US $68.00 | 3d 7h 36m |
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O Gauge Rail King MTH New York Central Hudson Steam Locomotive w Proto Sound | |
4 Bids | US $135.83 | 3d 9h 10m |
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HO ATLAS 1766 1 EVANS DPD BOX CAR WISCONSIN CENTRAL 1029 NOS | |
0 Bid | US $9.95 | 3d 9h 10m |
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Wisconsin Central 36208 Boxcar Red | |
0 Bid | US $24.00 | 2d 49m |
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Overland OMI HO CN Wisconsin Central Remote Control PSC Caboose | |
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US $354.99 | 28d 3h 47m |
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HO Scale Athearn Wisconsin Central GP38 2 | |
0 Bid | US $50.00 | 4d 5h 38m |
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HO Scale Fox Valley Wisconsin Central 7 Post Box Car | |
0 Bid | US $12.98 | 4d 8h 15m |
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SET OF 3 WALTHER KITS WISCONSIN CENTRAL THRALL GONWAFFLE CAR WABASH 54FLAT CAR | |
0 Bid | US $29.95 | 4d 10h 3m |
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Model Railroader Mar 7749 WC Boxcar | |
0 Bid | US $17.95 | 4d 11h 56m |
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VINTAGE LIONEL WISCONSIN DOUBLE DOOR BOX CAR 6 17231 NIB BLOOMFIELD ESTATE | |
0 Bid | US $24.00 | 5d 4h |
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Athearn WC 50 ACF Sgl Dr Box Maroon w Silver Roof SSAM 47033 Kit | |
0 Bid | US $6.50 | 5d 10h 18m |
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Micro Trains Line 51100091 Wisconsin Central 50 rib side plug door box Z scale | |
0 Bid | US $19.98 | 5d 21h 49m |
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Z Scale MT 511 00 091 Wisconsin Central 50 Box Car | 0 Bid | US $19.95 | 6d 4h 6m |
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Z Scale MT 511 00 092 Wisconsin Central 50 Box Car | 0 Bid | US $19.95 | 6d 4h 6m |
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HO SCALE ICE HOUSE ICING PLATFORM REEFER SERVICE KIT | |
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US $44.95 | 5d 8h 42m |
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Athearn Genesis G67643 HO Scale WISCONSIN CENTRAL FP45 6652 Sound DCC | |
0 Bid | US $119.99 | 6d 7h 10m |
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Atlas 53 Evans Double Plug Door Box Car WC 1040 NIB | |
0 Bid | US $13.99 | 6d 14h 27m |
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MTL Wisconsin Central 50 gondola N Scale | |
0 Bid | US $11.88 | 6d 20h |
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Walthers Gold Line Wisconsin Central 50 High Cube Box Car Road WC 21660 NIB | |
0 Bid | US $14.99 | 6d 21h 55m |
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Athearn 78890 GP38 2 Wisconsin Central 2003 HO Scale MIB | |
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US $71.98 | 27d 22h 33m |
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HO PROTO 1000 C Liner Locomotive Milwaukee 24C 31591 | |
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US $59.99 | 6d 7h 36m |
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LaBelle HO 50 Two in One Flatcar Kit | |
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US $22.95 | 7d 4h 25m |
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Gold Line Gunderson 50 High Cube Paper Service Boxcar RTR Wisconsin Central | |
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US $22.99 | 27d 2h 42m |
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HO Cornerstone Whitehall Station Kit 2932 | |
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US $28.99 | 29d 7h 11m |
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HO Walthers 2 Pk Flat Cars Wisconsin Central 23159 | |
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US $31.99 | 16d 7h 16m |
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LaBelle O 304 Two in one flatcar Kit | |
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US $37.95 | 5d 7h 42m |
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Fox Valley Models 30018 HO Scale 7 Post Box Car Wisconsin Central Rd 20337 | |
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US $31.95 | 28d 22h 20m |
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Fox Valley Models 30020 HO Scale 7 Post Box Car Wisconsin Central Rd 20369 | |
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US $31.95 | 28d 22h 18m |
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Fox Valley Models 30017 HO Scale 7 Post Box Car Wisconsin Central Rd 20306 | |
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US $31.95 | 28d 22h 15m |
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HO Genesis FP45 Wisconsin Central Railroad 46652 DC | |
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US $89.00 | 28d 5h 25m |
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January 31st, 2012 at 4:55 am
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