Hi all. New to hobby and making my first train a stack/intermodal train. It’s coming together really well but I just received my latest intermodal car and it has these little 8" x 2" containers in it vs. the larger 11.5 x 2.5 containers I’ve gotten with other cars. They are both “O Guage” so I am confused.
Can you use these cars together on the same train or will it look dumb? And how am I supposed to know when I see these online which size they are. As I said, it’s all “O” gauge but how do I know when the stacks are the real big size vs. these little mini’s?
International containers usually have corrugated sides and are 8 feet wide by 8.5 feet high and 20 or 40 feet long, which is 2 x 2 1/8 x 5 or 10 inches. Domestic containers usually have smooth sides and are 8.5 feet wide by 9.5 feet high and 45, 48, or 53 feet long, which is 2 1/8 x 2 3/8 x 11 1/4, 12, or 13 1/4 inches long.
Bob’s post described the differences simply… The Manufacturer - weaver, k-line, lionel, atlas, mth also adds another dimensiion to the containers and their portability among cars. Roadrailers and Railmates likewise make it interesting. There is a thread on the ‘other forum’ that is a running list of therse and other differences, siteings etc of the different container types and pictures of several intermodal yards. You may wish to view it for some additional perspectives.