How many Z scalers actually collect the Micro-Trains or the FR (Harald Freudenreich) Gunderson Husky rail cars? How many Z scalers have, plan to have, or want to have Intermodal Operations on your layouts/modules? Or even future layouts or modules? How many Z scalers would like to see several Intermodal yard operation accessories available? What kind of suggestions, for accessories, do you have? I've seen a few intermodal yards in person and several more using the zoom on Google Earth satelite program. Any and all suggestions are welcome! Tim
I have about 20 something of the MTL cars, and wanted to have a small loading facility. When I lived in Boise, I went to an NMRA convention that had tours of a small intermodal facility in Nampa. The yard had 3 spurs if I remember right, and a big Mi-Jack to load with. There was also a couple Piggy Packers, so I would like to see those items available for a small module. -Robert
I have a very small yard, It will hold about 16 well cars. Currently I use a modify conatainer city from marklin.,and a side loader. What I like see most is a piggy packer.
Nothing yet, I am in that transition type era as of now, but with the future layout, anything is a possiblility.
So far you have not gotten many bites. I would be interested in yard tractors- we called them "Ottawa's" and in yard container bogies. These were used inside the yard to marshal containers for loading/off loading, storage, aboard ship or trains. These were not over the road tractors. Also some Hysters- like a front end loader, without the bucket, fitted to lift 20 and 40' containers. These units could load empty truck trailers or rail cars. Thanks for the inquery, Fred
Thanks for all the input! I do plan on making a few accessory items for intermodal yards in the near future. Once finished, I will post back to this site. The biggest hurdle will be animation of the yard! Now that should be interesting! Both to look at and to accomplish! Tim
Hi Fred, Welcome to Trainboard! It sounds like you have experience around an intermodal yard. I hope we see all kinds of stuff we can use with our container cars. -Robert
Any chances of making older types? I know the Milwaukee Road ran containers along time ago, and others like NYC and the Rock Island.
Yes, I worked in a container yard for two years and also sailed on containerships. What we could use also are 20' liquid TANK CONTAINERS. These are cylindrical tanks built into a 20' frame able to be stowed as a regular 20' container. We also had"OPEN 20' CONTAINERS used to ship irregular shaped equipment . These containers would look great on the Gundersons and well cars. Certainly add a new demension. "Older" containers were odd sizes such as Sealand with 35' containers. They were the early pioneers of containerization. Most of the time we would offload directly onto a stream of inyard tractor/trailers and they would transport the containers to a marshaling yard where they would be stowed until the customer came in with an overtheroad rig and deliver to customer's location. Some were LCL- less than a container load- and were taken to the stuffing and stripping shed. Here the contents were unloaded from the container and the cargo awaited pick up. The containers would then be shifted to yard stowage for MT containers. We also loaded directly to rail cars, but this was unusual as this was during the 60's and 70's and ships and ports were just getting started with the "Land Bridge". Don't know how to open previous post. Best, Fred PS- Great book on "INTERMODAL EQUIPMENT AND OPERATIONS" by Jeff White from Modelrailroader. True to form, it's for HO and N but a lot can be learned from the pictures.
Does anyone know where a good source of online photos might be located for an Intermodal Yard? All of the Intermodal yards around Atlanta are either too far from any overpasses or they have what seems to be a 20' solid fence around it. We have Norfolk Southern and CSX practically 2-3 miles from where I sit. How about this. Google Earth views of Intermodal Yards! Does anyone have the coordinates to any good yards? The CSX Intermodal Yard near downtown Atlanta is a cluster of containers. I found one, maybe two in Denver, CO also. Have yet to search the million miles of rail in Kansas City yet. Has anyone got any favorite yards they'd like to tell us about? Tim
I was asked a question recently about Tractor Trailers for intermodal use. Since Alan Curtis has come out with his fabulous 89' Flat cars no other manufacturer has attempted to make a tractor trailer to ride on top.(Unless you take into account the rare and expensive Marklin Tractor Trailers) The 89' Flat cars that Alan makes can be configured several different ways depending on what length of trailers you want to haul. My question to all those who have or plan to get Alan Curtis 89' Flat cars, what length of Tractor Trailers would you like to see manufactured for the 89' Flat cars? 28' 45' 53' Or any other lengths? Thanks Tim
Wow, go to sleep for a few days and miss all the action! Yes, Tim, I would like to see 28', 45' and 53' trailers. I think Marklin makes a 20' and or 40' container chassis. I think Nansen Street Models also has a resin container chassis, too. Still a 20' and 40' though. The link to the SAVONART (aka Burt Industries) yard tractor is what Fred was describing, but I won't get in to the whole Burt Industries story (unless you want me to). Tim, I've got some blurry photos from a tour of the NS Virginia Inland Port (VIP) near Front Royal, VA from a tour I took with our local railfan group a year or so ago. You might actually try getting in touch with the NS marketing types for the terminal near you. You might have some luck, especially if you can put together some kind of railfan group for a tour. We may actually have had more luck because the VIP is actually operated by the Commonwealth of VA not NS (although they provide dedicated train service). I have a DVD that I taped off of History channel or Discovery or something like that on intermodal terminal operations. Not sure if I can get a copy made since one of our DVD players is on the fritz right now. I'll record it again if it airs again anytime soon. One of my long term projects (that I am hoping Fred will help me with) is to do a full size container ship in the 600 scale foot range (not one of these short little 2' feeder route jobs). It it comes out well, I might try to make it in to a kit, or even just plans on how to build it yourself. BTW Fred, did you ever get your container ship plans back from Burt Industries? Randy Smidt
Haha! Is that the Hillbilly toxic waste backyard shed jungle story Randy? I want all sizes of Tractor Trailers Tim! -Robert
Tim, Is yes, yes, and yes. Look in n scale section. There is a good tread on intermodal terminal. Also, Railpictures.net has some pictures. John
