I'm a big N scale intermodal fan, and I also collect N scale intermodal containers. I own containers from all manufacturers (except for Con-Cor, sorry, guys...I just don't like them) and made a chart showing their compatibility in terms of stacking connectivity. Note that the containers with Bottom Pins connecting are listed in three types: 1, 2 and 3. The containers of the same number type are stackable with each other. Deluxe Innovations, which makes the largest variety of container types, does not use a connectivity method. They recommend using "container glue" or putty to temporarily stick containers together. This putty (also available at office supply or craft stores under the UHU brand) can also be used to stack incompatible pin types.
I have a bunch of Bachmann 20' containers. Many I use as storage containers at businesses and for construction sights on the layout. I also have many Deluxe Innovations 20ft containers.
Now we need to know what containers will fit in which car..... I have some that will not fit in some, but will fit in others. Just haven't had the time to do an exhaustive investigation.
Carter Fritschle of http://nscalevehicles.org/ and I have put togther a list of well sizes to help [sorry - formatting has disappeared!] Well car sizes Manu Wellcar unit size length width facturer in feet mm x mm Interail Thrall 5 x 40 76.30 x 15.49 Kato Maxi I 5 x 40 76.77 x 15.61 Deluxe Twinstack 5 x 40 lower 75.72 x 15.79 40/48 upper 91.94 x 16.40 N Scale Kits Husky Stack 5 x 40 76.32 x 16.85 Deluxe Maxi III 5 x 48 91.83 x 16.78 Walthers Thrall 5 x 48 92.61 x 17.09 Walthers Thrall 48 93.07 x 17.08 N Scale Kits Husky Stack 5 x 48 92.31 x 17.13 Roundhouse Husky Stack 48 91.96 x 16.66 [presumably the Athearn one is the same as the Roundhouse] ConCor AP Husky Stack 48 91.39 x 16.30 Kato Maxi IV 3 x 53 101.86 x 16.63 N Scale Kits AP53 5 x 53 100.54 x 17.21 Therefore, suggested well size for N Scale Kits wellcars 40’ 77.00 x 15.80 45’ 86.20 x 16.20 48’ 93.20 x 17.10 53’ 101.90 x 17.10 Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits www.nscalekits.com
That's great! when I first started to purchase containers from different manufacturers I ran into that stacking issue which I had not even thought about. I have purchased a few sets of the Con-Cor; they didn't seem to be too bad in appearance. I appreciate this great info which will surely help as I expand my Intermodal activity.
I recently came across an N scale Alan Curtis Models set which I had to put together, change up wheels sets and couplers. I think for the most part the well works with all of the limited amount of 48' containers I own.
This is still available from N Scale Kits. I have uploaded the file of the container sizes and wellcar well sizes as a document that Carter Fritschle N Scale Vehicle Assoc and I worked on and refered to above. Pdeter Peter Harris N Scale Kits www.nscalekits.com