Tri-level cars ride on 28" wheels, Bi-level's ride on 33".
Infact, there's not a single Tri-level, straight 89' 4" autorack who's roof line is any higher then a standard 89' 4" bi-level, so, saying that they have slightly higher car body, would be incorrect.
The only rack with higher roof lines would be the Auto-max cars. Not even the Trall articulated cars have a higher roof line.
There's 4 distinct styles of tri-level cars that I've been able to identify now. I'm not counting the Automax cars. They are as follows:
-Walthers Tri-level, notched side sill, 28" wheels:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - ETTX - 701280
-Custom Rail Tri-level's closest match, notched end plate, coupler pocket rides up "on top" of deck:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - ETTX - 802194
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - ETTX - 802325 (thats what mine will become)
-Flush deck at ends, tri-level, unusual side sill:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CNA - 704589
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CNA - 704568
-Smooth side rack, slightly notched end plate, exposed frame side sills:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CPAA - 556003
There's 4 distinct styles of end doors, they are as follows:
-Bi-level single rack notches:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CN - 710705
-Tri-level, dual rack notches:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CNA - 704589
-Solid door, no rack notches:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - ETTX - 711185
-"Slat style":
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CN - 711947
Then there's the Johnstown AVC (
Aluminum
Vehicle
Carrier):
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CNA - 712801
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CNA - 712820
The Trall Articulated:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - BTTX - 880049
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - BTTX - 880141
Automax:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - AOK - 501570 (notice the standard height, bi-level autorack)
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - AOK - 501638
Ex-UP 20-2 Pack (I think Bi-level):
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - ATW - 800255
Bi-level, notched side sills, similar to Walthers Tri-level:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - NS - 171109
And lastly, the standard, flush deck, bi-level car:
RailcarPhotos.com - Photo Details - CPAA - 543075