intermodal I have two questions.

[Esmedune]

It appears very quiet in here, but I hope it is still a place I can maybe get an answer or two...

I am trying to find/build the four containers from the Rocket 150 event in Rainhill in 1980, and I keep buying slides of the event to help with modelling, and while I have asked these questions elsewhere, this new image is the best one I have so far.

 

My questions are concerning the difference in sizes between the two containers. I am aware of an 8'6" standard size, but which one is which?  I am assuming that the CNC one of the standard size, so what does that make the Royal Mail one?  Also, the CNC one with its side doors, and yet it also appears to have full length hinged end doors too. Is anyone out there making anything like it that I can adapt?

Edited December 14, 2021 by Esmedune

[Mol_PMB]

The earliest ISO containers were 8’ high; 8’6” was introduced fairly quickly and 9’6” came a bit later. 

In the UK we have always had gauging problems with the top corners of containers under arch bridges, and over time there have been works to renew bridges and/or design low deck wagons to permit the taller containers. But at the date of your model, and on that type of wagon, I don’t think 9’6” would be permitted. 

So I reckon the Royal Mail one is 8’ high and the CNC is 8’6”. The difference between them looks more like 6” than 12”. 

Both containers are 30’ long. 

 

Regarding suitable models, what scale are you working in? Hopefully someone else can help with that as my experience in 7mm is that I am having to scratchbuild all my containers! 

[Fat Controller]

I wouldn't be surprised to find that the CNC box is some sort of hybrid; CNC (Compagnie Nouvelle de Cadres, later Compagnie Nouvelle des Conteneurs) specialised in 'swap-bodies'. They used to send a lot of stuff via Dover train ferry in the early 1990s; it came from Orleans by rail, then transferred to skeletal 'internal use' trailers for the crossing, before being trans-shipped to UK semi-trailers. Whilst some of the boxes were ISO, there were a lot of non-standard lengths, along with side and end doors and extra ventilation.

[Esmedune]

7 hours ago, Mol_PMB said:

what scale are you working in?

Thanks for the information, I'm working in 4mm.

[Satan's Goldfish]

Both very interesting containers. In 4mm I don't know of anyone doing 30' long 8' boxes with ribbed sides, and the 30ft containers at 8'6" that are available are bulktainers rather than dry boxes.

 

So, looking at the rib spacing and data panels on the CNC, I think the best bet would be a combination of a C rail 30' and plasticard for the panels on the sides, and a chopped down c rail 40' for the roof and doors. They should both be available as kits, and if you can get a ribbed rather than corrugated 40' then the left over sides should make a good starting point (with some chopping to remove 6" of height and 10' of length) for the royal mail box.

 

I'd be interested to see any other pictures you can share of those 2.

[hmrspaul]

Can the codes be read? That would give you the basic dimensions you want. 

https://www.bic-code.org/size-and-type-code/

 

Paul

[Esmedune]

On 09/12/2021 at 19:41, Satan's Goldfish said:

I'd be interested to see any other pictures you can share of those 2.

This half of the other side of the CNC

 

Another shot of the left side.

 

 

[Esmedune]

On 09/12/2021 at 22:09, hmrspaul said:

Can the codes be read? That would give you the basic dimensions you want. 

https://www.bic-code.org/size-and-type-code/

 

Paul

That is helpful to a point. the Royal mail code is GBX 3010, where the 30 gives 30' and 8' but the code does not marry up with anything as it is supposed to be a letter and a number, not two numbers. Likewise the CNC, is something like FXX 3202 which makes it 30' and 8'6"

THis image shows the Royal Mail one with the other two, a 20' x 8' OCL smooth sided and a 40' x 8'6" Freightliner, which is the easy one to pick up.

[Mol_PMB]

I've just had a look in my 1971 Janes Freight Containers as I thought I might have an answer to the codes from a historic perspective.

For the size codes, it agrees with what you've put above for the 30 and 32 (though for 32 the height is just given as 'more than 8ft').

For the type codes, these are two digits specifying box, flat, open top, reefer, tank, insulated, rack, special*, and subcategories of those relating to door positions.

However, the lowest code is 20 and there is a note saying that codes 00 to 10 are reserved for airfreight containers.

So it doesn't solve the conundrum I'm afraid.

 

*one example given for the special category is the Cattle container. Now that's one that would pong a bit after a long voyage :-o

 

Cheers,

Mol