My entrepeneur brother in law visited from Ireland over the weekend and he really liked my layout. I showed him my “Schooner Properties Real Estate Co.” boxcar that I had painted up and I said I should paint one up for his ConwayPort. He then gave me cards from his various businesses. This of course would be a Winter project but I thought instead of buying more boxcars to paint up why not just make up some intermodal type containers that I can place on flat cars I already have? I have a LGB flat that came with 2 containers so something like that would be nice.
Question is what is the best way to build a container? I thought about just building a box out of hardboard or masonite but it would have smoothe sides.
My RR is not modern enough for true intermodals, plus they cost ALOT so I don’t want to buy them. I have seen just the containers for sale from USAT but those are not cheap either and I would have to chop them up.
What can I use to build convincing storage containers that I can label with the business names?
Any ideas?
Todd,
Dos some searching on the NET for ‘History of Shipping Containers’ and you will be surprised at what is available.
Bob C.
Easiest way I know, would be to make a retangular box out of Plastic, and buy some strips to glue to the sides and corners… Door handles can be made easily with round plastic strip stock…
One of our club members made some reasonable containers out of plastic down-spout material he found in a hardware store. He attached printed card stock to the sides/ends/top. They weren’t scale by any means but they passed the 10ft rule nicely.
Train Li also has come cheaper container options: http://www.train-li-usa.com/store/container-c-68_224.html
You can use Nashua brand metal duct tape for the metal. Scribe the lines/shapes from the back or front, then peel off the backing and put it on the base, be it wood or plastic.
Todd,
See if this link to a YouTube Vid hleps, I think this is in the time frame you are looking for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw2GzsEub0g
I also have access to the ISO standard book for containers, I will see if there is anything relative to the older styles in there as well.
Bob C.
Looking up containers there sure are lots of different ones out there. I haven’t dug the LGB ones that I have out yet but I’m thinking to build somethign like those where I can place 2 on a typical flatcar.
The ones from TrainLi look good but there is sometign about spending $40 for what amounts to cardboard boxes even though they do come with cool stickers.
I might be back to making them out of hardboard and plan not to leave them out in the weather.
My plan is to buy or build a box then print out a sticker for the sides. Next time I’m in HD or Lowes I will look around for downspouts and for some other possible material.
My RR is all about the 10’ rule. LOL
Thanks guys
How many of you be interested in some of the standard information on container sizing and basic details? If I get enough responses I will distill the standards down to model size and publish a PDF fact sheet.
Bob C.
raising hand…
Raises hand as well
Not overwhelming, but I will start working on it. Shouldn’t take too long, as the only information really necessary is the exterior dimensions.
Bob C.
Here’s the Sealand container I made for my Army train. Had them in our convoys in Vietnam. I found some pictures online and the trailer on ebay. 3" x 3" x 15". I use the metal duct tape on the sides, after embossing it with textures.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gunjeep444/_forumfiles/SLdoneSide.JPG)
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gunjeep444/_forumfiles/SLdonerRear.JPG)
INterested as well!
That is a sharp looking trailer Jerry. The other day I built a quick little box out of hardboard that matches the dimensions of a LGB container and it looks OK. It should pass the 10 foot and maybe even the 5 foot but your process makes it look SUPER.
Bob what is it that you are offering?
Todd
Todd,
I have access to the RL ISO standard for shipping containers. I am working on putting together a short synopsis of the standard compiling only the information modelers would need to build credible models with or without counting rivets. I will be concentrating on ‘general purpose’ containers (the simple boxes we usually see) in their major configurations. As I have dug into the standard I am amazed at what is NOT in it. Very little information on details of construction, just the necessary size dimensions and strength statements. I will be posting the hobby standard by the end of the weekend as a PDF file so everyone that wishes on can download it.
Bob C.
I found this when I was doing minel
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/gunjeep444/Container.jpg)
Jerry,
Great break down of a standard road trailer. Shipping containers are similar…but different.
All - I am running a bit behind with the container standards - what DRY reading. So far I have determined that almost all of the standard is concentrated on two main areas. One - the interface dimensions between the container and what ever it sits on, picks it up or otherwise handles it. And two - the strength component, how the container with act under loaded conditions when picked up or in some cases - dropped.
I have scanned the relevant pages with the interface dimension and tables, but need to put some verbage together so it will all make sense. I don’t plant to change any of the tables, as they are all in both prototype imperial (feet/inches) and metric (mm). I think we all know how to get from prototype to model dimensions for our chosen scale.
As for actual construction details, there are almost none. For the most part, the construction detailing is left up to the manufacturer, so long as the construction meets or exceeds the ISO specifications for strength.
More to come…
@Todd - I think what you might be looking for is a mixture of what Jerry has above and the standards I will be putting up.
Bob C.
these are for smaller scales, but the idea should be feasible in any scale
Today was lousy out so I threw together 3 more “containers”. Nothing fancy just a masonite box built to the size of a LGB shorty container The roofs still need to be attached then I will probably paint them grey.
I’m sure what you guys will come up with will be amazing.
Todd