@@mrsrmp Thanks! I don't understand the commentary, but it looks at 2:28 like these are 2/3-height containers, three of them being the same height as the two regular containers on the next wagon.
I recently purchased a TWF10 well car, and it's featured in some of my videos with the BNSF 48ft container I got with it. I LOVE this well ever since I saw DTTX 54038 on the mainline and then paced it. I'm also building a diorama really similar to the one in the video here, except it has a HORRIBLE crossing with enormous dips. Love the content!
Leaving aside that I don't really model HO (I model OO, the inter-war London and North Eastern Railway specifically), this was actually very enlightening; I'd often wondered why small containers went on the bottom, with bigger ones on the top; well, now I know, thanks to you.
Hey Steve, great info on containers. As a retired engineer, I get asked that same question. An added thought, overseas containers are only 20 and 40 foot size. Where the state containers are more. Yes, I to have seen some modelers place them in wrong set-up. Thank you again for the update. R M Martin.
@@classonemodelworks your welcome. I really like those cars you and your crew made. Up here in Washington, we have been using them for our garbage train, from Seattle to Gillman and back. It's called the "USEGL/UGLSE" or the Seagle and the ugly. 😅. The most smelly train on the system! R M Martin
Yes, the international standard is 20ft or 40ft. 53ft containers are only used between the far east and the US (and, I guess, Canada), since they correspond to the maximum length of a truck trailer.
Nice video - and nice cars and containers. I picked up one of each car and several containers. I’m very pleased with the quality of the build, the attention to detail, and the packaging is super deluxe. Look forward to your future releases!
Dang, you got a lot of TWF10s! I have an upcoming train show and I have a few friends that are selling a lot of them as well. Perhaps I will try the same thing and then group the cars together lol
I gave up trying to explain the no stacking of 20's on top of 40's to a young and new modeler, he did have issues though. anyway, he was happy enjoying playing trains... and i think that's why we all ( mostly ! ) do it.
Thank you, sir. Excellent video. I’m not a modeler, just always wondered how containers fit together. Your video explained all sorts of things I found interesting. Still don’t quite know how the upper and lower containers connect, but thanks for all the good info.
Great beginners guide to container stacking Stephen! The Class One containers I have, work great, not only did they fit perfectly in the TWF10 well car, but they worked perfectly in the Athearn and Walthers cars too, definitely getting more of these things!
Thanks for watching! Good to hear, we designed them to work well with as many brands as possible! Our second run of containers are in stock and available now!
I am merchant marine and used to work for APL at Terminal 300 Port of Los Angeles. I’ve made up and mounted diesel gen sets. Containers come in 20, 40, 45, and 53 feet. They are standard for width and length. Height can vary. The locks in the corners are called IPC locks. They’re heavy and dangerous if they fall. They can kill you.
Good video, I will like to add to the part when you put the shorter can on the long one this can’t happen with the wtp(wide twist lock position) cans. Even though lift points are same 40’ the lifting points on top on wtp are to the edge of 53’ while iso boxes are narrower , this makes it so it will not line up. You can get an older non wtp box, like an old Pacer Stacktrain or red Hub Group this will work on these types.
There was a CP train that passed by the model club a few weeks ago (club is in an old station like 20' off the mainline) that had a bigger container in the well and a 45' or 40' on top of it, thought it was interesting. Unfortunately I didn't have my phone ready to take a picture.
I’m waiting for videos with bridges crossing the railroad track and tunnel entrances. You might remember that special 11’8 bridge videos. There may be crossing bridges the guy stacking the containers hadn’t thought of. And of the brakes with the added weight. Cutting costs can be sooo entertaining for the bystanders. The people involved, not so much.
They guy stacking the containers doesn't have to think about bridges. Any route that containers are sent on either has clearance for double-stacks or doesn't. Either he's told to stack, or told to load singly. There are very few routes on which containers are carried but can't be stacked -- there are some low tunnels around Baltimore, but I don't know of any others.
There is one more issue. Maximum weight. All (iso) containers have the same maximum weight, about 31 tons. But typically heavy gods are carried in 20foot containers and lighter goods in 40 foot containers. So the result of that is that you generadly cant have 4 20 foot container on one car (if they are full) that would just be to heavy. Generaly, you really don´t want to stack 20 foot containers on top anyway due to weight distribution.
Very informative. It would have been nice if you could've shown a "Connector" or an image of one. What's the story with the PINK containers with the the word "ONE" painted on the side?
One thing you forgot is WTP and ISO. JB Hunt containers and many other domestic containers use WTP or wide twistlock position, International containers all use ISO. In North America we are allowed to be 102" wide apposed to other parts of the world that are still 96". For this reason you can't stack an ISO container on top of a WTP container. The blue paint on the pockets of J. B. Hunt containers was to let the crane operator know it was a WTP container. Interesting note, the blue was the same as the old Santa Fe blue, I always found this to be interesting. The well in the car is also wider to accommodate the 102" wide containers. Sometimes although less frequent now you have to stack a domestic container on top of an ISO container because it won't fit in the narrow well.
Triple stacks are an issue more from Tunnels…. Also need a video addressing locating and stacking Refer boxes, both as loads and in the freight yards. And speak of freight yards, there’s another video opportunity. 😊
Perhaps it is the density of the interior load that determines when a 20’ container is required, as in imported quartz slabs for countertops, compared to less dense loads like large appliances, which are better suited for 48’ or 53’ containers
Great video Stephen! And here I thought the Preferred 45 piggyback trailer was hot stuff at that time. 😉 Waiting for the depressed center flats & pass to arrive. 😎
Are the lower containers locked on to the car floor or does their weight keep them in place? If you put two 20s on top are those two locked together or just on their outer corners?
There are “bumps” on the floor at the ends of the well, theat the ends of the 20’ containers sit on. The well and weight keep the containers from moving. No connector pins hold the bottom container. Never put 20’ containers on top.the well card only have a catwalk, that allows a laborer to put a connector pin at the end hole on a container. Can’t put a connector pin on the other end of a 20’. Container MUST sit completely at bottom of the well. Top container clears some bridges by 1 1/2”! Height detectors at the ends of intermodal yards.
Hi, im from Germany and to stack containers is new for me. I work for the biggest Germany Train Cargo company (DB Cargo) and I want to know how they save the 2nd container so it don’t falls down? Thank you for the video, very interesting
What is even more important, is whether what routes double stack trains can operate, the railroad's load department has the task of determining where stack trains can run, some routes have height, weight restrictions, while most routes have been rebuilt, many are not, in the Northeast corridor, stack trains cannot run on sections where it's electrified (overhead wires)
Weight shouldn't be a limiting factor for containers on trains. A pair of 40ft containers shouldn't weigh more than about 65 tons; a covered hopper will carry 100 tons.
Just a contribution. 20', 40', and 45" are considered "marine" containers because, for logistic reasons, they could be able to be carried by ships. 48', 53', and the new Canadian 60' are considered "land containers"; therefore, not being able to be loaded on ships.
You can put 53' on ships (they're made in China after all) but only in limited amounts as they need to go on top of a stack (and skip a bay because of the overhang). It's usually one way traffic though as the 53' containers are legally too long for many countries. Throw in the limited placement on ships and they're definitely not popular in international trade.
when there are well cars that share an axle, containers on top get closer to each other -can you still have 53ft containers on top of adjacent cars, or would they get too close in turns?
The 48 feet rail cars are obsolete they are mostly 53 foot rail cars I drive intermodal for J.B. hunt. Overhang stacking is obsolete as well maybe back in the early 90s they stopped as 53 foot containers are the biggest demand
You got all the highlights. The only thing I’ve never seen is 4 20ft containers in the same well. It technically possible but I think there’s weight issues when doing that.
20' containers may and usually do carry as much weight as the larger 40'. 45', 48' and 53' containers. So 4 20' containers that are fully loaded would be twice as heavy as 2 long containers, and still heavier than 3, the 2 20' plus 1 long on top. This would likely would over-load the car and the trucks. If they were empty, it could be okay. But why ? There is little need. Most containers are first constructed overseas in Asia. They arrive in Europe or the Americas with their first load. Generally, the loaded containers then leave the ships on trucks and/or trains, from the ports. Later the same, or fewer, of trains of empty containers would return route, so why try to outsmart the out-and-back system. Never the less one does see long trains of empty platforms moving around with changing traffic flow patterns. Most containers return to Asia empty so freight charges are very low returning. Washington State returns many containers with low value animal feed hay grown in eastern Washington's dry but irrigated fields. The hay must be dry enough to not sweat moisture within the hot confines of the steel containers, begin to decompose and rot producing heat, and then spontaneously combust into fire.
Hello.... is it prototypical to have two 20' containers on the bottom and two other 20' containers on top? On model railroad layouts, I've seen this already, but I can't remember this in real life.
Has anyone ever tried integrating containers (and for that matter, trailers) into operations? I imagine systems such as car cards and waybills could be expanded to route containers as well as freight cars.
They don't load and unload containers en route. However, some routes will drop off or pick up cars at intermediate points. Picking up or setting down cars is fairly fast, but you don't want to delay the whole train while you move boxes around.
Who is labeling your containers? The JB Hunt 53' container is an Intermountain model, not Athearn. The P&O 20's are Athearn models, not Walthers. Hopefully it's not important.
@@tompaul2591 30' containers are not the commonest, but are still used in Europe but in the UK we can't stack any containers because of our loading gauge being much lower
@@andrewharrison5983 I'm not aware of anywhere in Europe that stacks containers. The combination of low bridge clearances and electrification nixes the idea.
@@beeble2003 There are plans in Britain to introduce a very limited double stacked services• Felixstowe (to Trimley) • London Gateway (to Thames Haven Junction) • Southampton Western Docks (internal movements only) • Tilbury Northfleet Hope terminal (to junction with exchange sidings) • Boston Docks (to just outside Thorpe Culvert and almost to Sleaford) • Thamesport to Lower Stoke (A228 overbridge) • Dungeness branch (Appledore to Lydd)
@@andrewharrison5983 Southampton is just within the port. Felixstowe-Trimley, London Gateway to the junction, Tilbury to the junction and Thamesport to the bridge are all less than two miles and are effectively within the port, except that the shunting involves leaving port premises. Boston-Sleaford makes no sense to me. First, Boston docks doesn't handle container traffic. And it _can't_ handle significant amounts of container traffic because it's accessed through a lock that's only about 14m wide. You can't fit a ship in that port that can carry enough containers to need double-stacking. Second, what would be the point of double-stacking containers just to take them to a small town 16 miles away, where they'd have to be unstacked to access the rest of the rail network? Appledore to Lydd makes even less sense to me. The Dungeness branch is about nine miles long and exists only to serve the nuclear power station at Dungeness. Again, no container traffic and, even if there was, what's the point of double-stacking for nine miles?
Are there any specific rules for 20' ":Tanktainers" which can be very heavy when fully loaded with liquids? I believe that they are only "bottom loaders: because of their potential weight?
All 20ft containers can only be loaded on the bottom. As was explained in the video, you can't stack 20ft containers on top of larger ones. But you also can't stack 20s on top of 20s because they can be too heavy. A 20ft container is allowed to carry as much weight as a 40ft, so four 20s could overload the car. I don't think tanktainers are heavier than a maxed-out 20ft box.
Thank you for that explanation.. I had not realized just how heavy the 20 ft. containers could be? It's hard to believe that so much weight would be packed into them.. Good point, about the handlers standing on the end platforms to place the connectors in the top corner pockets too? I had not thought of there being nowhere to stand at the side for placing connectors at the middle of two 20 ft.s (mentioned in an earlier comment)? Cheers, Rob
I also think the NMRA should police model makers more when it comes to containers..... The standard is either pins on the wagon, or pins on the container..... Pins on the wagon would more prototylpical.
Pins on the wagon also require pins on top of the container. This is not prototypical. Unless there would also be twist locks (container connectors) as a model.
Does the weight of the container contents also dictate what containers can be stacked or unstacked? Also, what about the liquid containers? Can they be stacked on top of other 20' containers (I've never seen that combination)? But I've seen lots of double stack well cars with only one container in the well.
Weight doesn't matter. The frame of the container supports the one above. As far as tanktainers I assume you're asking about, they have an external.frame equivalent to a 20' regular container. They would load the same.
To an extent, really heavy containers are usually loaded on the bottom, that's how they did it when I worked at BNSF back in the late 90s. I've seen containers unloaded from trains that cracked open like a egg because they were too heavy.
20ft containers can't be stacked on top of anything in a well car. As discussed in the video, you can't stack 20s on top of longer containers. The only other possibility would be to stack a pair of 20s on top of another pair of 20s, but that would be too heavy. This is because a 20ft container is actually allowed to carry the same load as a 40ft container, so four of them would be too much for the car.
You mean on the model or in real life? Certainly not a problem IRL, as shown by the tens of thousands of containers moving through the US on trains at any one time.
Nice video. I live next to the CN mainline, and see the containers go by frequently. I see a good mix of 40' and 53' well cars in use. I've noticed when they have the articulated 40' well cars, they will stack 53' containers on alternating 40' bottom containers. The 53' containers will overhang the articulation mid point so the reason is pretty obvious. I found a video someone else posted that has an example of this and have the timestamp included. ruclips.net/video/Yi9QpfwKv0k/видео.html
That 48' container. Is obsolete I've never seen one on the rail. Those 20 fters can be 50000 + lb in the box. They ship allot of bulk grain in 20 fters. Heavy ores, scrap metal, barrels and totes. Liquid bulk bags. Most well cars have weight limits for 20 ft containers some well cars can't have 20 fters at all. There are flat racks ISO tankers Reefers, open tops and new to the US and increasing in quantity High cube 20 ft containers. See there are standard containers at 8.5 ft tall and high cubes at 9.5 ft tall. 20, and 40 ft are ST or HC a 45 is always a HC but some like Crowley are 102" wide so the XHC like a 53 ft can All 53 FT containers are XHC The JBHUNT container can only fit on a JBHUNT chassis in real life. All the other 53ft boxes are interchangeable on the chassis. On the east coast ALL the 53ft chassis are DCLI except for Schneider JBHUNT CROWLEY TRAILER BRIDGE. These companies still run their own chassis. UMAX and EMHU are owned by the same bunch they by allot of used 53ft boxes. So just change the scat code on the numbers. I.e. PACER STACK TRAIN. The PACU if a UMAX would be UMXU If an EMp Then EMHU There are so many lease boxes out there Make up your own 4letter SCAT code HANJIN is out of business but there are still HANJIN boxes out there just change the scat code. Hazmat the placards must beat least half way up the side of the container on all four sides and not covering any other reporting marks or words. Make some damaged containers Depot's hate them so we railbill them somewhere else empty. Say it's a Yang ming yang mingsays export is lite in your area. So it goes on the train to Oakland or Tacoma or long Beach. Seaboards go to Miami Crowley's Jacksonville. If you have a refrigerator container say a Dole or Chiquita if on the train they MUST have a Genset on the nose. And it's not included in the empty tare weight on the backdoor of the box.
Great info overall here, something most modelers never get to hear about unlike those of us in the industry having all the fun playing with the prototypes. One small correction though: it's SCAC code (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), not scat code, as speech to text probably heard it.
interesting subject, but i know for a fact that in Europe (mostly the Netherland,) the only use one container (40 feet or two 20 feet) for each car, never double stack or higher,, wrong infra structure availleble
Europe has a lot of low-clearance bridges and a lot of electrification so, yeah, double-stacking doesn't work. In the UK, overhead clearance is even worse and we have problems even carrying the taller containers, let alone stacking.
Do you mean sardine cans were racial middle east arrive at the seaport of North America i started to 3D paint the epoxy resin to like them a lot better colour the resin before i pour then lol
OK, that is good basic information but you forgot several major points First 20' containers can be loaded up to 55,000 pounds, and therefore will be not double stacked. Second 48' only exist in the model rail world anymore, as that have being completely replaced by 53' containers. Third, they (the prototype) do not mix containers (20' - 40-) from international port with domestic containers (53') There are some 45' that are transported on ships (on top of the stacks), and those can be loaded on top of a double stack. Also, there are some well cars in multiples that are so close to each other they can't have 53' containers back to back. They are called "backpack", i don't reminder witch company make them. Maybe next video for everybody.
@@stephenhottle6783 yup, the Q and S symbol trains (and on rare occasions, Z trains, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule) that run in my area do that all of the time and have done so for years, they haven't had an issue yet.
Generally, any 40' intermediate well in an articulated set is unable to handle anything over 48' on top in all wells at once. Basically, you can do a 53 stacked on the A, B and D (middle) wells, with a 40 or 45 in stacked in the remaining C and E wells. There are still plenty of original Thrall cars running around in various lengths (even some with 40' ends and 48' intermediate wells believe it or not) based on the LoPac 2000 platform, as well as the one you're thinking of, the Trinity Industries "Backpacker". Same concept, just different builders. CP and CN here through WI mix everything.
@@evad1 Well, I am not aware of CP and CN practices. I live in California and that's were I base my opinion from the practices of UP ans BNSF. Yes here we have the Q, S and Z train going thru Cajon pass to the north and Chicago, and going to the south thru San Bernadino.
@@Christiane069 Fair enough being you're from CA, but nowhere did you mention that. There's more to the world than UP and BNSF in CA, LOL Had you mentioned that, I would have agreed wholeheartedly since the trips I take railfanning BNSF and UP trains in and around Chicago from your neck of the woods are arranged that way based on market and origin/destination pairs. BNSF trains from the Pacific Northwest through WI can be mixed. Trips I've taken east of Chicago, on NS and CSX are actually mixed and solid domestics and internationals in blocks. Anything is possible anywhere I suppose. Oh, yeah, generally, 45'ers usually have their own stack space dedicated to that size on ships, not normally mixed and used as a hat on top of a stack of 40's. Anything is possible though....
@@keithdeley7236 OK. But many people want their model trains to look like the real thing. Especially people who buy high-end, expensive rolling stock such as this. If you want your models to look like the real thing, you need to know what the real thing looks like.
Something i learned recently, India is currently experimenting with triple stacks. Quite interesting to watch.
Triple?
Bet us railroads wish they had the clearance to run triple stacks
Man, that'll be fun in a crosswind.
Í find a vídeo of the triple stack: ruclips.net/video/NqtpFxg7qyw/видео.html
@@mrsrmp Thanks! I don't understand the commentary, but it looks at 2:28 like these are 2/3-height containers, three of them being the same height as the two regular containers on the next wagon.
I never thought I would see an instructional video on such a simple and common sense topic.
Can we appreciate the weathering on the wagon also... Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching. We'd love to see more weathered TWF10 models out there! Anyone else weathered their TWF10?
I recently purchased a TWF10 well car, and it's featured in some of my videos with the BNSF 48ft container I got with it. I LOVE this well ever since I saw DTTX 54038 on the mainline and then paced it. I'm also building a diorama really similar to the one in the video here, except it has a HORRIBLE crossing with enormous dips. Love the content!
Nice video one thing I would like to add, when the RR loads containers the heavy goes on the bottom and light goes on top
Leaving aside that I don't really model HO (I model OO, the inter-war London and North Eastern Railway specifically), this was actually very enlightening; I'd often wondered why small containers went on the bottom, with bigger ones on the top; well, now I know, thanks to you.
Thanks for watching! Glad we could help!
Hey Steve, great info on containers. As a retired engineer, I get asked that same question. An added thought, overseas containers are only 20 and 40 foot size. Where the state containers are more.
Yes, I to have seen some modelers place them in wrong set-up. Thank you again for the update. R M Martin.
Thanks for watching!
@@classonemodelworks your welcome. I really like those cars you and your crew made. Up here in Washington, we have been using them for our garbage train, from Seattle to Gillman and back. It's called the "USEGL/UGLSE" or the Seagle and the ugly. 😅. The most smelly train on the system! R M Martin
Yes, the international standard is 20ft or 40ft. 53ft containers are only used between the far east and the US (and, I guess, Canada), since they correspond to the maximum length of a truck trailer.
I've always wondered why/how 53' containers are stacked on top of 40' containers... this explained the mystery perfectly!!
Nice video - and nice cars and containers. I picked up one of each car and several containers. I’m very pleased with the quality of the build, the attention to detail, and the packaging is super deluxe. Look forward to your future releases!
Dang, you got a lot of TWF10s! I have an upcoming train show and I have a few friends that are selling a lot of them as well. Perhaps I will try the same thing and then group the cars together lol
I actually really appreciate this video. I know it's a simple topic for most but I found the information very useful
very cool and informative video. i think its great when a company works with videos and such "plus-informations". cool!
Thanks for watching! We'll be making a lot more informative videos going forward!
I gave up trying to explain the no stacking of 20's on top of 40's to a young and new modeler, he did have issues though. anyway, he was happy enjoying playing trains... and i think that's why we all ( mostly ! ) do it.
Thank you, sir. Excellent video. I’m not a modeler, just always wondered how containers fit together. Your video explained all sorts of things I found interesting. Still don’t quite know how the upper and lower containers connect, but thanks for all the good info.
Great beginners guide to container stacking Stephen! The Class One containers I have, work great, not only did they fit perfectly in the TWF10 well car, but they worked perfectly in the Athearn and Walthers cars too, definitely getting more of these things!
Thanks for watching! Good to hear, we designed them to work well with as many brands as possible! Our second run of containers are in stock and available now!
I agree with you, Randall, the containers do fit amazingly in the well!
I am merchant marine and used to work for APL at Terminal 300 Port of Los Angeles. I’ve made up and mounted diesel gen sets. Containers come in 20, 40, 45, and 53 feet. They are standard for width and length. Height can vary. The locks in the corners are called IPC locks. They’re heavy and dangerous if they fall. They can kill you.
Awesome vid , please show more vids like this.
Thanks for stopping by! More to come!
Brilliant and a excellent way to maximize your loads. And the important part it's a safe system.
I learned something new today !
Good video, I will like to add to the part when you put the shorter can on the long one this can’t happen with the wtp(wide twist lock position) cans. Even though lift points are same 40’ the lifting points on top on wtp are to the edge of 53’ while iso boxes are narrower , this makes it so it will not line up. You can get an older non wtp box, like an old Pacer Stacktrain or red Hub Group this will work on these types.
Thanks for the info! We appreciate you stopping by!
Nice work, Stephen-and this from a modeler who models the pre-container world. :0)
Thanks Michael!!
Good video! Intermodal equipment is interesting for its versatility. 20’ containers are well optimized for flatcars as well
Thanks for stopping by!
Great explanation. You answered a lot of my questions. Thank you!
Thanks for watching! Glad we could help!
Great compilation. Even for people modelling European RR, which never use any double stacks.
you just answered my questions about stacking Thanks
There was a CP train that passed by the model club a few weeks ago (club is in an old station like 20' off the mainline) that had a bigger container in the well and a 45' or 40' on top of it, thought it was interesting. Unfortunately I didn't have my phone ready to take a picture.
I’m waiting for videos with bridges crossing the railroad track and tunnel entrances.
You might remember that special 11’8 bridge videos.
There may be crossing bridges the guy stacking the containers hadn’t thought of.
And of the brakes with the added weight.
Cutting costs can be sooo entertaining for the bystanders. The people involved, not so much.
They guy stacking the containers doesn't have to think about bridges. Any route that containers are sent on either has clearance for double-stacks or doesn't. Either he's told to stack, or told to load singly. There are very few routes on which containers are carried but can't be stacked -- there are some low tunnels around Baltimore, but I don't know of any others.
There is one more issue. Maximum weight. All (iso) containers have the same maximum weight, about 31 tons. But typically heavy gods are carried in 20foot containers and lighter goods in 40 foot containers.
So the result of that is that you generadly cant have 4 20 foot container on one car (if they are full) that would just be to heavy.
Generaly, you really don´t want to stack 20 foot containers on top anyway due to weight distribution.
Alot of the well cars now hold a 53' container on the bottom. I watch trains in altoona pa, and see them regularly.
Very informative. It would have been nice if you could've shown a "Connector" or an image of one.
What's the story with the PINK containers with the the word "ONE" painted on the side?
They're just another company. Nothing special.
One thing you forgot is WTP and ISO. JB Hunt containers and many other domestic containers use WTP or wide twistlock position, International containers all use ISO. In North America we are allowed to be 102" wide apposed to other parts of the world that are still 96". For this reason you can't stack an ISO container on top of a WTP container. The blue paint on the pockets of J. B. Hunt containers was to let the crane operator know it was a WTP container. Interesting note, the blue was the same as the old Santa Fe blue, I always found this to be interesting. The well in the car is also wider to accommodate the 102" wide containers. Sometimes although less frequent now you have to stack a domestic container on top of an ISO container because it won't fit in the narrow well.
Containers are also lifted by the top with overhead cranes. The locking pins are T shaped and turn to lock or u lock.
Triple stacks are an issue more from Tunnels…. Also need a video addressing locating and stacking Refer boxes, both as loads and in the freight yards. And speak of freight yards, there’s another video opportunity. 😊
Great info! Thank you for sharing.
Up in Canada the have 60ft containers I cant say I've seen any on an intermodal train kinda a niche thing but they are out there
Perhaps it is the density of the interior load that determines when a 20’ container is required, as in imported quartz slabs for countertops, compared to less dense loads like large appliances, which are better suited for 48’ or 53’ containers
You are indeed correct
Great video Stephen! And here I thought the Preferred 45 piggyback trailer was hot stuff at that time. 😉
Waiting for the depressed center flats & pass to arrive. 😎
Thanks!! Flatcars are just around the corner! We still anticipate them before the end of July.
Good video, what about when they had well cars with 5th wheels on them to put trailers in the well?
Very good explanation.
Thanks! Glad we could help!
Are the lower containers locked on to the car floor or does their weight keep them in place?
If you put two 20s on top are those two locked together or just on their outer corners?
There are “bumps” on the floor at the ends of the well, theat the ends of the 20’ containers sit on. The well and weight keep the containers from moving. No connector pins hold the bottom container. Never put 20’ containers on top.the well card only have a catwalk, that allows a laborer to put a connector pin at the end hole on a container. Can’t put a connector pin on the other end of a 20’. Container MUST sit completely at bottom of the well. Top container clears some bridges by 1 1/2”! Height detectors at the ends of intermodal yards.
I've always wondered how they stayed doubled up on a 70 mph train
Great info.!! 🇺🇸👍
Hi, im from Germany and to stack containers is new for me. I work for the biggest Germany Train Cargo company (DB Cargo) and I want to know how they save the 2nd container so it don’t falls down? Thank you for the video, very interesting
The TWF10 is a nice car and is needed. However, I model in N-Scale, so my only question is when will you product models in N?
What is even more important, is whether what routes double stack trains can operate, the railroad's load department has the task of determining where stack trains can run, some routes have height, weight restrictions, while most routes have been rebuilt, many are not, in the Northeast corridor, stack trains cannot run on sections where it's electrified (overhead wires)
Weight shouldn't be a limiting factor for containers on trains. A pair of 40ft containers shouldn't weigh more than about 65 tons; a covered hopper will carry 100 tons.
Just a contribution. 20', 40', and 45" are considered "marine" containers because, for logistic reasons, they could be able to be carried by ships. 48', 53', and the new Canadian 60' are considered "land containers"; therefore, not being able to be loaded on ships.
You can put 53' on ships (they're made in China after all) but only in limited amounts as they need to go on top of a stack (and skip a bay because of the overhang). It's usually one way traffic though as the 53' containers are legally too long for many countries. Throw in the limited placement on ships and they're definitely not popular in international trade.
when there are well cars that share an axle, containers on top get closer to each other -can you still have 53ft containers on top of adjacent cars, or would they get too close in turns?
The 48 feet rail cars are obsolete they are mostly 53 foot rail cars I drive intermodal for J.B. hunt. Overhang stacking is obsolete as well maybe back in the early 90s they stopped as 53 foot containers are the biggest demand
I'm pretty sure I've seen overhang stacking on recent RUclips videos. But I may be mistaken.
You got all the highlights. The only thing I’ve never seen is 4 20ft containers in the same well. It technically possible but I think there’s weight issues when doing that.
I believe the reason for that is because there's not really a way to interlock the two stacks so that they don't sway separately.
20' containers may and usually do carry as much weight as the larger 40'. 45', 48' and 53' containers. So 4 20' containers that are fully loaded would be twice as heavy as 2 long containers, and still heavier than 3, the 2 20' plus 1 long on top. This would likely would over-load the car and the trucks. If they were empty, it could be okay. But why ? There is little need.
Most containers are first constructed overseas in Asia. They arrive in Europe or the Americas with their first load. Generally, the loaded containers then leave the ships on trucks and/or trains, from the ports. Later the same, or fewer, of trains of empty containers would return route, so why try to outsmart the out-and-back system. Never the less one does see long trains of empty platforms moving around with changing traffic flow patterns.
Most containers return to Asia empty so freight charges are very low returning. Washington State returns many containers with low value animal feed hay grown in eastern Washington's dry but irrigated fields. The hay must be dry enough to not sweat moisture within the hot confines of the steel containers, begin to decompose and rot producing heat, and then spontaneously combust into fire.
Proofs for that are rare but they exist: www.progressiverailroading.com/railproducts/graphics/CAIN-NSC-HDWELL_16.jpg
I've confirmed that C1MW, JTC, Rapido, and old Walthers (I think) containers all work together. I have not tried Athearn containers. Or anyone else's.
You can Sea-Can with the best of them!
Hello.... is it prototypical to have two 20' containers on the bottom and two other 20' containers on top? On model railroad layouts, I've seen this already, but I can't remember this in real life.
oops--- just found a proof: www.progressiverailroading.com/railproducts/graphics/CAIN-NSC-HDWELL_16.jpg
So what about DG containers, do they have special rules? (I.e. tanktainers only being single stacked)
Has anyone ever tried integrating containers (and for that matter, trailers) into operations? I imagine systems such as car cards and waybills could be expanded to route containers as well as freight cars.
Canadian Tire in Canada has 60ft containers. I've never seen 20ft containers stacked on top of 20ft containers.
Does a trainload of containers just go non-stop from point A to point B...versus stopping multiple times to unload just a few at a time?
They don't load and unload containers en route. However, some routes will drop off or pick up cars at intermediate points. Picking up or setting down cars is fairly fast, but you don't want to delay the whole train while you move boxes around.
Who is labeling your containers? The JB Hunt 53' container is an Intermountain model, not Athearn. The P&O 20's are Athearn models, not Walthers. Hopefully it's not important.
Always wondered how it worked everyday I go into a bnsf yard.
What about 30 ft boxes, how would the be loaded if, at all in a well car?
30' containers? I've never seen them. 20,40,45,48,53
@@tompaul2591 30' containers are not the commonest, but are still used in Europe but in the UK we can't stack any containers because of our loading gauge being much lower
@@andrewharrison5983 I'm not aware of anywhere in Europe that stacks containers. The combination of low bridge clearances and electrification nixes the idea.
@@beeble2003 There are plans in Britain to introduce a very limited double stacked services• Felixstowe (to Trimley)
• London Gateway (to Thames Haven Junction)
• Southampton Western Docks (internal movements only)
• Tilbury Northfleet Hope terminal (to junction with exchange sidings)
• Boston Docks (to just outside Thorpe Culvert and almost to Sleaford)
• Thamesport to Lower Stoke (A228 overbridge)
• Dungeness branch (Appledore to Lydd)
@@andrewharrison5983 Southampton is just within the port. Felixstowe-Trimley, London Gateway to the junction, Tilbury to the junction and Thamesport to the bridge are all less than two miles and are effectively within the port, except that the shunting involves leaving port premises.
Boston-Sleaford makes no sense to me. First, Boston docks doesn't handle container traffic. And it _can't_ handle significant amounts of container traffic because it's accessed through a lock that's only about 14m wide. You can't fit a ship in that port that can carry enough containers to need double-stacking. Second, what would be the point of double-stacking containers just to take them to a small town 16 miles away, where they'd have to be unstacked to access the rest of the rail network?
Appledore to Lydd makes even less sense to me. The Dungeness branch is about nine miles long and exists only to serve the nuclear power station at Dungeness. Again, no container traffic and, even if there was, what's the point of double-stacking for nine miles?
If you have a 20ft tank container, is it standard to stack a container above them? I have never seen this in a photo or in person.
Yes, tank containers go on the bottom.
One no-no not discussed: Putting four 20-ft containers in a well car.
It is very rare, put proofs exist: www.progressiverailroading.com/railproducts/graphics/CAIN-NSC-HDWELL_16.jpg
Are there any specific rules for 20' ":Tanktainers" which can be very heavy when fully loaded with liquids?
I believe that they are only "bottom loaders: because of their potential weight?
All 20ft containers can only be loaded on the bottom. As was explained in the video, you can't stack 20ft containers on top of larger ones. But you also can't stack 20s on top of 20s because they can be too heavy. A 20ft container is allowed to carry as much weight as a 40ft, so four 20s could overload the car. I don't think tanktainers are heavier than a maxed-out 20ft box.
Thank you for that explanation.. I had not realized just how heavy the 20 ft. containers could be? It's hard to believe that so much weight would be packed into them.. Good point, about the handlers standing on the end platforms to place the connectors in the top corner pockets too? I had not thought of there being nowhere to stand at the side for placing connectors at the middle of two 20 ft.s (mentioned in an earlier comment)? Cheers, Rob
I also think the NMRA should police model makers more when it comes to containers..... The standard is either pins on the wagon, or pins on the container..... Pins on the wagon would more prototylpical.
Pins on the wagon also require pins on top of the container. This is not prototypical. Unless there would also be twist locks (container connectors) as a model.
The NMRA would arrest you for calling it a wagon.
Does the weight of the container contents also dictate what containers can be stacked or unstacked? Also, what about the liquid containers? Can they be stacked on top of other 20' containers (I've never seen that combination)? But I've seen lots of double stack well cars with only one container in the well.
Weight doesn't matter. The frame of the container supports the one above.
As far as tanktainers I assume you're asking about, they have an external.frame equivalent to a 20' regular container. They would load the same.
To an extent, really heavy containers are usually loaded on the bottom, that's how they did it when I worked at BNSF back in the late 90s. I've seen containers unloaded from trains that cracked open like a egg because they were too heavy.
20ft containers can't be stacked on top of anything in a well car. As discussed in the video, you can't stack 20s on top of longer containers. The only other possibility would be to stack a pair of 20s on top of another pair of 20s, but that would be too heavy. This is because a 20ft container is actually allowed to carry the same load as a 40ft container, so four of them would be too much for the car.
_Me who stacks 7 high on my layout_
Well in the EU we drive only Single Stack. Because of the catenary of our electric locomotives.
What about the center of gravity?
You mean on the model or in real life? Certainly not a problem IRL, as shown by the tens of thousands of containers moving through the US on trains at any one time.
Nice video. I live next to the CN mainline, and see the containers go by frequently. I see a good mix of 40' and 53' well cars in use. I've noticed when they have the articulated 40' well cars, they will stack 53' containers on alternating 40' bottom containers. The 53' containers will overhang the articulation mid point so the reason is pretty obvious.
I found a video someone else posted that has an example of this and have the timestamp included. ruclips.net/video/Yi9QpfwKv0k/видео.html
Take a shot every time he says container/s
That 48' container. Is obsolete I've never seen one on the rail.
Those 20 fters can be 50000 + lb in the box. They ship allot of bulk grain in 20 fters. Heavy ores, scrap metal, barrels and totes. Liquid bulk bags.
Most well cars have weight limits for 20 ft containers some well cars can't have 20 fters at all. There are flat racks ISO tankers
Reefers, open tops and new to the US and increasing in quantity High cube 20 ft containers. See there are standard containers at 8.5 ft tall and high cubes at 9.5 ft tall. 20, and 40 ft are ST or HC a 45 is always a HC but some like Crowley are 102" wide so the XHC like a 53 ft can
All 53 FT containers are XHC
The JBHUNT container can only fit on a JBHUNT chassis in real life. All the other 53ft boxes are interchangeable on the chassis. On the east coast ALL the 53ft chassis are DCLI except for Schneider JBHUNT CROWLEY TRAILER BRIDGE.
These companies still run their own chassis. UMAX and EMHU are owned by the same bunch they by allot of used 53ft boxes. So just change the scat code on the numbers. I.e. PACER STACK TRAIN. The PACU if a UMAX would be UMXU
If an EMp Then EMHU
There are so many lease boxes out there
Make up your own 4letter SCAT code
HANJIN is out of business but there are still HANJIN boxes out there just change the scat code. Hazmat the placards must beat least half way up the side of the container on all four sides and not covering any other reporting marks or words. Make some damaged containers
Depot's hate them so we railbill them somewhere else empty. Say it's a Yang ming yang mingsays export is lite in your area. So it goes on the train to Oakland or Tacoma or long Beach. Seaboards go to Miami Crowley's Jacksonville. If you have a refrigerator container say a Dole or Chiquita if on the train they MUST have a Genset on the nose. And it's not included in the empty tare weight on the backdoor of the box.
Great info overall here, something most modelers never get to hear about unlike those of us in the industry having all the fun playing with the prototypes. One small correction though: it's SCAC code (Standard Carrier Alpha Code), not scat code, as speech to text probably heard it.
interesting subject, but i know for a fact that in Europe (mostly the Netherland,) the only use one container (40 feet or two 20 feet) for each car, never double stack or higher,, wrong infra structure availleble
Europe has a lot of low-clearance bridges and a lot of electrification so, yeah, double-stacking doesn't work. In the UK, overhead clearance is even worse and we have problems even carrying the taller containers, let alone stacking.
I suspect that if a 40' container is on a longer car there is room in the end wells to ride illegally.
Do you mean sardine cans were racial middle east arrive at the seaport of North America
i started to 3D paint the epoxy resin to like them a lot better colour the resin before i pour then lol
the prices they charge for a plastic box is outrageous and a complete and utter rip off
OK, that is good basic information but you forgot several major points
First 20' containers can be loaded up to 55,000 pounds, and therefore will be not double stacked.
Second 48' only exist in the model rail world anymore, as that have being completely replaced by 53' containers.
Third, they (the prototype) do not mix containers (20' - 40-) from international port with domestic containers (53')
There are some 45' that are transported on ships (on top of the stacks), and those can be loaded on top of a double stack.
Also, there are some well cars in multiples that are so close to each other they can't have 53' containers back to back. They are called "backpack", i don't reminder witch company make them.
Maybe next video for everybody.
I'm not sure which prototype railroads that you are referring to, but the BNSF mixes 20' 40' and 53' containers on their trains.
@@stephenhottle6783 yup, the Q and S symbol trains (and on rare occasions, Z trains, but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule) that run in my area do that all of the time and have done so for years, they haven't had an issue yet.
Generally, any 40' intermediate well in an articulated set is unable to handle anything over 48' on top in all wells at once. Basically, you can do a 53 stacked on the A, B and D (middle) wells, with a 40 or 45 in stacked in the remaining C and E wells. There are still plenty of original Thrall cars running around in various lengths (even some with 40' ends and 48' intermediate wells believe it or not) based on the LoPac 2000 platform, as well as the one you're thinking of, the Trinity Industries "Backpacker". Same concept, just different builders.
CP and CN here through WI mix everything.
@@evad1 Well, I am not aware of CP and CN practices. I live in California and that's were I base my opinion from the practices of UP ans BNSF. Yes here we have the Q, S and Z train going thru Cajon pass to the north and Chicago, and going to the south thru San Bernadino.
@@Christiane069 Fair enough being you're from CA, but nowhere did you mention that. There's more to the world than UP and BNSF in CA, LOL Had you mentioned that, I would have agreed wholeheartedly since the trips I take railfanning BNSF and UP trains in and around Chicago from your neck of the woods are arranged that way based on market and origin/destination pairs. BNSF trains from the Pacific Northwest through WI can be mixed. Trips I've taken east of Chicago, on NS and CSX are actually mixed and solid domestics and internationals in blocks. Anything is possible anywhere I suppose. Oh, yeah, generally, 45'ers usually have their own stack space dedicated to that size on ships, not normally mixed and used as a hat on top of a stack of 40's. Anything is possible though....
Is this video for real or is it a joke.
Buh? It's for real. Which part do you think might be a joke?
@@beeble2003 it's a model train your not loading a real one .
@@keithdeley7236 OK. But many people want their model trains to look like the real thing. Especially people who buy high-end, expensive rolling stock such as this. If you want your models to look like the real thing, you need to know what the real thing looks like.
I did this for csx intermodal in Philadelphia. reach stacker and jockey truck operator