Sliding window assembly and method of forming the same

A sliding window assembly for a vehicle, said sliding window assembly comprising:

• a first fixed window pane;
• a second fixed window pane spaced from and fixed relative to said first fixed window pane defining an opening therebetween;
• a sliding window pane moveable relative to said first and second fixed window panes for covering and uncovering said opening;
• a first track connected to said first fixed window pane and to said second fixed window pane and coupled to said sliding window pane for guiding movement of said sliding window pane relative to said first and second fixed window panes;
• and
• a second track spaced from said first track and connected to said first fixed window pane and to said second fixed window pane and coupled to said sliding window pane for guiding the movement of said sliding window pane relative to said first and second fixed window panes;
• said first and second tracks each defining a channel with said sliding window pane disposed in said channels;
• said first and second tracks being formed at least partially from glass encapsulation material connected to said first and second fixed window panes by single-sided glass encapsulation;
• said first track and said second track being rigidly interconnected only by said first and second fixed window panes;
• each of said first and second tracks having a structural rail defining said channel and an attachment member connecting said structural rail to said first and second fixed window panes;
• and
• said attachment members being formed of said glass encapsulation material.