Containers -- NMRA standards needed?

[dknelson]

OK here is a new topic for you. the latest (July) NMRA bulletin has a letter from a Dutch modelers who points out that while ALL international containers are 100% compatible, NONE of the HO models of them are! And it goes beyond how they mount and fasten to each other (although that is itself an annoyance -- you cannot double stack different makes of container) he showed photos of just about every make of container of what is supposedly the same size -- and they are all different! I mean, 40 feet should be 40 feet, right? But not for containers. Not in HO. Makes you wonder what else we buy is "close but no cigar."
He asks if this is an area where the NMRA has a role to play -- with a standard for mounting (I don't know what the NMRA can do about manufactuers claiming everything between 38 feet and 42 feet is 40 feet other than to deny scale conformity on their warrant, which few manufacturers even seem to care about anymore).

I urge you to read the guy's letter and look at the photos he provides. Very interesting and provocative points. What do you think?
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

This is a very good point.The NMRA ought to look into this. So often we are concerned about standards on the high rech phases of the hobby such as DCC. But this low tech issue requires some standards as well.

[Anonymous]

Iam with you.All containers need to work together.Where we can model stack trains.

[Anonymous]

I started a similar thread on the Atlas website forum. There appears to be a groundswell of support for this type of standard by the NMRA.

[rogerhensley]

I believe that they do need to be interchangable, but as it has nothing to do with the 'Interchange' of model railroads, I can't see the NMRA getting involved. Their thrust is trackage, wheels, weight, clearances, electrical operation, etc. I can't think of any case where the NMRA has recommended the modeled details of a piece of rolling stock.

I would think that the purchaser has more to say about these items not being modeled correctly by simply informing the particular manufacturer that he won't buy unless they can be used with other manufacturer's containers.

Roger