Sign of the times By Angela Cotey | March 20, 2020 | Last updated on August 8, 2025 Email Newsletter Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Sign-up for email today! Get Updates A New York Central switcher pulls a string of loaded open-rack cars in the early 1960s. The auto rack car, introduced in 1960, quickly became popular and regained finished-auto traffic for railroads. J. David Ingles collection