Thrall established the Union Wagon Company in 1916, selling used and reconditioned rail car components.
[4][5] In 2000, Thrall acquired the railway vehicle manufacturer ČKD Vagonka Studénka (Czech Republic), renamed Thrall Vagonka Studénka, a.s..[6] (In 2006 Trinity Industries sold off its European operations to International Railway Systems) The closely held company was sold to Trinity Industries, based in Dallas, Texas, in 2001.
Additional car types manufactured included boxcars and gondolas.
Most cars were designed for standard gauge interchange service on AAR-approved railroads within North America.
Cast or forged parts, such as grab irons, trucks, axles, and wheels, were purchased from suppliers from the Chicago area.