Well Cars

[Boilerbuster]

I have three sets of Maxi 1 well cars that are intermountian. Kinda a supprise when trying to get the right size Containers to fit them. They say 45 foot on them however the end cars seem to be 40 foot. Is this the way they really are and should I use two twentys and or 40 foot containers for the End two cars on each set? I got the 45 ft containers to work with the others and have a 53 foot on top on one.
I was just wondering what worked best. One 40 foot container or two 20's?
BTW these are the TTX APC and APL Thrall Well car sets

 

[UP2CSX]

Don, it seems like two 20's and one 40 are the common way to load the end car. Check out ths picture:

 

[jbaakko]

Maxi I's should be/are 40-40-40-40-40, in an A-C-D-E-B set.
http://198.65.109.60/PDFtecbulletins/StackCarsMaxiI.pdf

Maybe Maxi-I Early's are 40-45-45-45-40?

Wait Intermountain Thrall cars? The Thrall is a 40-45-45-45-40... Maxi I's are a Gunderson product, so far only made in plastic by Athearn.

 

[jbaakko]

P.S. those Thrall cars are steadily being cut back to 5-40's, along with Maxi-III's (Athearn) and Gunderson AP wells (such as the Atlas or Walthers car).

 

[Rico]

I have to chuckle... I used to work loading containers and I can't even remember how they went!
Old age?

 

[Boilerbuster]

I am supprised that 45 ft containers are even used anymore here in the states. Most large companys have gone almost compleatly to 53 ft trailers. I once by mistake when I was at Swift grabbed a 57 ft trailer and took it home for the weekend. Lucky I came back to the yard after I was at home and didnt get anywhere with it. But 53 ft are the standard trailer these days.
When I bought these well cars I didnt know that they were shorter. From now on I will be getting 53 and 56 ft well cars, But it will be good to have a mix of lengths.
I only have one 53 ft container and its Swift. I will be getting some Schnider and JB hunt ones later.

 

[jbaakko]

45's are still international use, they're the largest international container, and only fit on certain ships.

 

[Mac Loco Works]

Mainline Modeler printed info on the APL Container Car in the Feb 1987 issue.

The original platforms were designed to carry 40 ft containers in the wells with the end ones holding 2-20ft. With the 40,45 or 48 ft on top.
The next genaration was 45 ft intermediate wells, one end 40 ft and the other 2-20 ft.
Third genaration was 45 ft in all wells.
Forth genaration was 48 ft all wells.
Fifth genaration was 48 ft intermediate wells and 40 ft ends.
With all of the units able to carry the 40,45 or 48 ft on top.


I found this info in Mainline Modeler's Freight Cars book 3.

I hope this helps.