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International vs. domestic containers

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Posted by Backshop on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 8:23 PM

2 20ft containers, each on its own trailer.

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Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 7:47 PM

Is this part of the conversation about two 20' containers on two chassis towed by one truck?  Or is it about two 20' containers on a single chassis?

 

Ed

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 6:55 PM

SD60MAC9500
 
BaltACD 
CSSHEGEWISCH
I would guess that the 28' container was an attempt at a variant with increased flexibility of the trailer usually found in double bottoms. 

Were any container chassis constructed that would facilitate the hauling of double 28 footers?

I have never seen any container chassis that could be doubled over the road. 

Here in Michigan we do. It's not common but every now and then you can see double 20's. 

Haven't seen any leaving or going to the Port of Baltimore.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 3:44 PM
 

BaltACD

 

 
CSSHEGEWISCH
I would guess that the 28' container was an attempt at a variant with increased flexibility of the trailer usually found in double bottoms.

 

Were any container chassis constructed that would facilitate the hauling of double 28 footers?

I have never seen any container chassis that could be doubled over the road.

 

Here in Michigan we do. It's not common but every now and then you can see double 20's. 

 
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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 12:03 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH
I would guess that the 28' container was an attempt at a variant with increased flexibility of the trailer usually found in double bottoms.

Were any container chassis constructed that would facilitate the hauling of double 28 footers?

I have never seen any container chassis that could be doubled over the road.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 11:55 AM

I would guess that the 28' container was an attempt at a variant with increased flexibility of the trailer usually found in double bottoms.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by 7j43k on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 2:41 PM

Here's a link to a photo of a 28' container in service in 2011:

 

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2596965

 

NOT as a container, as such.  But still, in use.

 

I think there were only 100 of the 56' well cars built.  They do show up; I've taken pictures of a couple.

 

Ed

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Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 1:38 PM
 

NittanyLion

 

 
7j43k
There also have been, and may still be around, 28' containers for domestic use.

 

I don't remember the last time I actually saw a 28 footer.

 

28' containers have long been out of service... Roughly 26 years now... A failed experiment involving; BN, ATSF, and UPS. BN America, and UPS were the only operators of 28' containers. However the 56' well cars created for those containers are still in service.

 20 ft containers - Trains Magazine - Trains News Wire, Railroad News,  Railroad Industry News, Web Cams, and Forms
28-foot Domestic Container Photo Gallery
 
 
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Posted by NittanyLion on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 12:15 PM

7j43k
There also have been, and may still be around, 28' containers for domestic use.

I don't remember the last time I actually saw a 28 footer.

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Posted by 7j43k on Sunday, November 7, 2021 8:26 AM

What the two versions have in common is using the same dimensions and methods for interlocking the containers.  The dimensions are based on the 20' and 40' containers.  There also have been, and may still be around, 28' containers for domestic use.  Those are supplied with the standard locking connections as the 20', with an overhang off the front (the 45's and 53's have symmetrical overhang front and back).

Note that it is common to see a 53' domestic container stacked on top of an international on double-stack cars.

There is nothing precluding an international container being used in domestic service, except that it can bulk out too soon.  In fact, once international containers are removed from the ship, they ARE essentially domestic containers.

Going the other direction is near impossible.  Container ships cannot accept our domestic containers below decks.  And stacking them on top is very limited and a PITA.  

This tends to be true for the international 45's, but less of a problem as the container width stays the same.  45' containers cannot be stowed below deck.  

I believe also that most/some domestic containers can't be stacked more than two-high.  That is also limiting on a ship.

There also have been 48' domestic containers, preceding the 53's.  There might still be some around.

 

 

Ed

 

 

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Posted by Backshop on Sunday, November 7, 2021 7:19 AM

IIRC, the first domestic containers weren't stackable because they weren't build to the same standard.  They could only be "topload".  That doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

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Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Saturday, November 6, 2021 9:04 PM
 

The only differences are gross weight and dimensions.

Domestic containers are:

53' x 8'2" x  9'6" with a maximum GWR of 67,200 lbs.

 

ISO Containers are:

20' x 8' x 8'6" Dry/Flatrack/Tanktainer

40' x 8' x 8'6" also come in High Cube 9'6" Dry/Flatrack/Refrigerated

45' x 8' x 8'6" also come in High Cube 9'6" Dry/Refrigerated

Most ISO containers have a maximum GWR of 67,055 lbs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Posted by MidlandMike on Saturday, November 6, 2021 8:53 PM

I know their lengths are different.  International containers are 40' or 20' long.  Domestic containers are 53' long.

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International vs. domestic containers
Posted by Lithonia Operator on Saturday, November 6, 2021 8:44 PM

I frequently see references to international and domestic containers. Are these two types of containers physically different from each other? Or, are the writers of articles just referring to how the containers are being deployed, not physical differences?

It sure seems like it would be simpler if they were both the same.

Still in training.


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