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Intermodal Container Size Conformity Between Brands General discussion
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Active Member 92 posts CVmike Active Member 92 posts
CVmike

Intermodal Container Size Conformity Between brands of equipment

Hi can anyone help me with intermodal car and container interchange ability.

Can current containers be interchanged freely between brands (Atlas, Walthers, A-Line, Kato, Intermountain, Scaletrains, Bowser, etc.) Intermodal wells and flats?

I have a friend going to Amherst with my shopping list for containers. His list contains 20', 40', 45', 48' and 53, containers, to fill out  2-5 unit A-line sets 40', 1-Kato Maxi Stack 5 unit set 53',(to be repainted for Cancer ribbon) and a dozen or more individual wells and 89' flat cars.

I want to make sure the containers will fit.

The A-Line kits I originally built, I used only A-Line containers I painted and decaled for my original 10 wells (20-40 foot containers. (At that time I found some manufactures containers were oversize and did not fit, so i stayed with A-Line containers)

 

 

 

Be CVna ya

Mike
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blindog10 Prolific poster 3,308 posts
blindog10

Not always

I haven't bought any containers in a while, but memory tells me A-Line and Athearn containers played well together.  Con-Cor's pins were on the top instead of the bottom.  Walthers' containers were often just a little short.  Don't have any Atlas or Intermountain containers to compare.

Scott Chatfield
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jimfitch Prolific poster 5,265 posts
jimfitch

Walthers, Athearn & Concor all different

From memory:

Walthers - oval shaped pins on the bottom

Athearn - round pins on the bottom

Concor - round pins on the top

Those are the only containers I own.

.

Jim Fitch
northern VA
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wcrails Regular poster 439 posts
wcrails

My experience is what Jim and

My experience is what Jim and Scott describe.  I don't have any Atlas, or Kato, or Walthers.

I've never spent the time to do it, but it probably would't be too big a project redo the pins and holes to make the different brands you have work together.

Mike.

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/bluecollar3
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railandsail Prolific poster 8,723 posts
railandsail

SCALE model railroading?

I thought this was SCALE model railroading,...HO at least   

 

 

Brian

1) First Ideas: Help Designing Dbl-Deck Plan in Dedicated Shed
2) Next Idea: Another Interesting Trackplan to Consider
3) Final Plan: Trans-Continental Connector
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CVmike Active Member 92 posts
CVmike

Thank you all

My buddy is on his way to Springfield.

Thanks for your help!

Mike

Be CVna ya

Mike
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narrowgauge Regular poster 162 posts
narrowgauge

Shiping container dimensions - prototype

I am not sure about the model manufacturers but there is an ISO standard governing ISO shipping containers and their dimensions. So IF the manufacturers are to scale, they should all be the same dimensions.. Interconnections between the models is most likely a different story. If interested in more information email me at narrowgauge@gscalejunkie.com.
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jeffshultz MRH Staff 7,967 posts
jeffshultz

I know this is HO

But in N scale they have the same problem, to the point that Jacksonville Terminal Company has created adapter kits (usually including new floors) for other manufacturer's containers to make them work with their magnet and pin system. 

orange70.jpg
Jeff Shultz - MRH Technical Assistant
DCC Features Matrix/My blog index
Modeling a fictional GWI shortline combining three separate areas into one freelance-ish railroad.
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Rasselmag Frequent poster 524 posts
Rasselmag

Long, long ago, the MOROP has

Long, long ago,

the MOROP has released a norm dealing with container conformity for model railroads, exactly the arrangements of pins and coresponding bores:

https://www.morop.org/downloads/nem/de/nem380_d.pdf

But the crux is, none of the traditional manufacturers and importers here over the pond are keeping to it. All are insisting using their own exclusive works standards.

For this the NEM380 has become a rather useless teethless tiger here in Europe.

One guy has done comparisons dealing with comformity of containers: http://modellbahn-container.de/seite2.html

Sorry text only in German, but pictures and measures are clear visible.

 

Lutz
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CVmike Active Member 92 posts
CVmike

Thanks for additional information

Mike

 

Be CVna ya

Mike
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