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Containers

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  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 2:38 PM

Hello All,

I don't run inter-modal on my pike but I do have a collection of shipping containers (Inter-Modal Containers [IMCs]).

As with prototype, these units are used as storage facilities and modular buildings adjacent to the mine adits.

The IMC storage units are placed on top of K-rail (Jersey barriers, or Jersey walls).

In Greely, Colorado, I saw this prototypical use of K-rail as "foundations" for the IMCs at an industrial bone-yard.

When needed the IMCs can be loaded on to flatcars or trucks, with cranes or other overhead lifting devices, and transported to the job site. 

These IMCs can also be used as MOW storage or habitat units.

As IMCs are de-commissioned they are sold off as storage units. This is a great opportunity to use "fallen flag" IMCs on a modern pike.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Chicago, IL
  • 306 posts
Posted by Eilif on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 12:22 PM

I buy modern and nearly-modern containers when I find them for a good deal. (3-5 bucks).  

I have 20's, 40's and 53's in a mix of some newer corrugated containers and a good amount of the smooth sided that are less common these days and probably more 80's.   I've found some good deals at my local shop on NOS Con-Cor and Athearns.  

Athearn used to sell packs of four 20'ers for 6 or 7 bucks!  They weren't individually numbered, but not a problem if you mix them around.

Visit the Chicago Valley Railroad for Chicago Trainspotting and Budget Model Railroading. 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 3,139 posts
Posted by chutton01 on Monday, November 4, 2019 4:49 PM

I buy undecorated or 'foobie' containers whenever available at reasonable (cheap-enough) prices.
Why?  Because in the modern era containers retired from active shipping can be found used for storage or other purposes in many industrial/commercial yards (and I guess survivalists' back woods). Respray a solid color, patch-out or just add a printed decal label like "Cassone Storage Rentals" etc., weather a bit, and place as needed.  Why wouldn't industries use them, even second-hand they are normally weather-proof and allow easy access (although they can get a bit stuff in summer if not vented).  It's the current era's grounded 40ft boxcar-turned-shed.
Also I'm not above photocopying model containers to help model container mountains found at many ports or other industries - in the same vein, cutting up model containers and using the parts for the visible outside of said container stacks saves money as well (same principle as using a foam core pile with a crust of ballast covering it to represent a gravel pile).

 

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:59 AM

BroadwayLion
no containers on route of LION.

BroadwayLion
The homeless make homes in them

 

So do some survivalists in my part of the country.  Of course, they bury them first.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:56 AM

no containers on route of LION.

 

The homeless make homes in them

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: Flyover Country
  • 5,557 posts
Posted by York1 on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:41 AM

railandsail
Hope you didn't pay the current retail price, which I think is absurd,...am I the only one that thinks these new prices for a box shaped piece of plastic....??

 

I completely agree.  When I built an N Scale intermodal yard, I began to buy containers.  $24 for two plastic containers?!  After some searching, I found some for about $6 each, but not the color or markings I wanted.

I got my son-in-law to make some on his 3-D printer, but the problem then was getting decals for them, and getting the decals to look right on the ridged container sides.

I have settled for some gray unmarked containers just to keep the price down.

York1 John       

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Morristown, NJ
  • 808 posts
Posted by nealknows on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:38 AM

joe323

Not just 53’ foot 40’ 20’ etc 

I have 53' 45'40' 20' & bulk tank container loads. I probably have a good 100 in the yard plus whatever is in the well cars in the yard and the train in staging. I must have a couple hundred in storage.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
  • 1,734 posts
Posted by joe323 on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:34 AM

railandsail

Nah I buy them used at train shows and swap meets. There is also a site to print them on cardstock.  Also they can be printed as background in 2D by just placing them on the glass of my printe.

 
jpmorrison

i have about 300 for my intermodal yard

jeff

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have them all in the yard,...or planned yard?

Hope you didn't pay the current retail price, which I think is absurd,...am I the only one that thinks these new prices for a box shaped piece of plastic....??

 

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:11 AM

joe323
Not just 53’ foot 40’ 20’ etc 

I have enough of each to fill a couple of 15 car trains, along with spines and trailers.

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2009
  • 1,983 posts
Posted by railandsail on Monday, November 4, 2019 9:06 AM

jpmorrison

i have about 300 for my intermodal yard

jeff

 

 

 

 

Do you have them all in the yard,...or planned yard?

Hope you didn't pay the current retail price, which I think is absurd,...am I the only one that thinks these new prices for a box shaped piece of plastic....??

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, November 4, 2019 8:55 AM

I still have about two dozen cast resin N scale containers from the 1990s. I believe Fine-N-Scale made them.

.

I keep thinking they will be useful for something.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
  • 1,734 posts
Posted by joe323 on Monday, November 4, 2019 8:22 AM

nealknows

If you're talking about the 53' Intermodal containers, I do and probably have more containers than I have the well cars to put them in to!

Neal

 

Not just 53’ foot 40’ 20’ etc 

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: THORNTON,CO.
  • 230 posts
Posted by jpmorrison on Monday, November 4, 2019 7:32 AM

i have about 300 for my intermodal yard

jeff

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Morristown, NJ
  • 808 posts
Posted by nealknows on Monday, November 4, 2019 7:08 AM

If you're talking about the 53' Intermodal containers, I do and probably have more containers than I have the well cars to put them in to!

Neal

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
  • 1,734 posts
Containers
Posted by joe323 on Monday, November 4, 2019 6:07 AM

Just curious. does anyone else collect the modern containers?

Joe Staten Island West 

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