Figuring out Stack/Intermodal Cars...

[gillart]

Hi all.  New to hobby and making my first train a stack/intermodal train.  It's coming together really well but I just received my latest intermodal car and it has these little 8" x 2" containers in it vs. the larger 11.5 x 2.5 containers I've gotten with other cars.  They are both "O Guage" so I am confused. 

Can you use these cars together on the same train or will it look dumb?  And how am I supposed to know when I see these online which size they are.  As I said, it's all "O" gauge but how do I know when the stacks are the real big size vs. these little mini's?

 Thanks! 

 -g

 

[lionelsoni]

International containers usually have corrugated sides and are 8 feet wide by 8.5 feet high and 20 or 40 feet long, which is 2 x 2 1/8 x 5 or 10 inches.  Domestic containers usually have smooth sides and are 8.5 feet wide by 9.5 feet high and 45, 48, or 53 feet long, which is 2 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 11 1/4, 12, or 13 1/4 inches long.

[Andrew Falconer]

The smaller containers are "Traditional O Gauge"  while the larger containers are O Scale.

Were the smaller cars and containers made by Lionel or M.T.H. RailKing?

Traditional O Gauge cars have most dimensions that are the same or just a little bit larger than 1:64th scale or S Scale.

Andrew

[cheech]

Bob's post described the differences simply...   The Manufacturer - weaver, k-line, lionel, atlas, mth also adds another dimensiion to the containers and their portability among cars. Roadrailers and Railmates likewise make it interesting.  There is a thread on the 'other forum' that is a running list of therse and other differences, siteings etc of the different container types and pictures of several intermodal yards.  You may wish to view it for some additional perspectives.

 Ralph