My question pertains to the 53' Stoughton containers which BNSF leases. (I don't really understand how this lease program works). I do know BNSF recently (Aug. 2005) turned over 3,800 of their leased fleet to Swift Intermodal. These are the containers which previously were marked for NACS and BNSF. The question has to do with when these containers hit the rails (mid-to-late 2004), were they only marked for NACS or were some sent out with BNSF markings at the same time? It seems that these NACS marked as NCDU in the 2363xx, 237xxx, 238xxx series started getting remarked for BNSF (HUBU) fairly quickly. Any help would be appreciated.
Aren't the Swift cans former HUBU boxes? I haven't seen any that look like former NACS containers, though I'll keep looking. I think these were delivered with HUBU reporting marks - I've got a shot of a brand new unit taken in Chicago in 2003 back at home I'll have to dig up.
From what I've read they are from both. A lot of the NACS in this series were already remarked into HUB markings though. I thought these were introduced in 2004? Would love to know the date of delivery.
Here's a message Chad Hewitt posted to the Intermodal List on Aug 25 2003: "Showing up recently are new Stoughton built 53' x-post containers in HUBU markings. Very similar to the recent NCDU236XX-237XXX series that first featured white painted x-posts and x-post noses on a Stoughton box, these HUBU boxes also feature the BNSF crime hotline number decal." I'm picking up my photo of the new container I shot back in Sep 2003 today, so I'll keep you posted. Are you thinking of adding some variety to the Kato containers?
Thanks for the info James. I haven't seen any photos of these prior to Aug. 2004, so that is a very interesting post. So it sounds like both varieties (NACS and BNSF{HUB}) were produced in that first run within those same number series, example some 236XXX numbers in NACS and some 236XXX numbers in HUB, same in 237XXX. As far as the Kato containers, I'm trying to nail down when the prototype hit the rails and in what markings. Yea, I will be changing the ones I have to some extent or another. Thanks again, your info is appreciated.
OK, the the latest I've uncovered is this prototype was first seen by the public in Oct. 2002. Way earlier than any photos I've seen. The first run was probably just NACS, with HUBU cans not showing up until the following year, and by late 2004 some of the earlier NACS containers were already getting remarked as HUBU cans. Now moving on to reporting mark and logo placement, what a nightmare. I haven't found any photos that match what Kato did on their models.
Ok, did some more digging myself and am stumped now too. John Helberg's excellent site (http://members.surfbest.net/intermodal@surfbest.net/INDEX.HTM) reveals the following details: Hub Group: HUBU 236300-237999 1700 Stoughton exterior post re# SWRU 236300-237999 HUBU 238000-238600 601 Stoughton 2003 exterior post HUBU 238601-238799 199 ?? ??? re# SWRU 238601-238799 NACS: NCDU 236300-237999 1700 Stoughton 2002 exterior post and for the SWIFT units: SWRU 236300-237999 1700 Stoughton ex HUBU 236300-237999 SWRU 238601-238799 199 ?? ex HUBU 238601-238799 So I was going to say that the SWRU units appear to be all exHUBU units, as there is no mention of a NCDU 238xxx series. I picked up my photos yesterday and was gob-smacked to see the following units we had seen in September 2003: NCDU 238679 Stoughton ExPost Manufacture Date = 9/03 (Includes BNSF Fight Crime Logo) NCDU 238677 Stoughton ExPost (Includes BNSF Fight Crime Logo) NCDU 238669 Stoughton ExPost (Includes BNSF Fight Crime Logo) HUBU 238517 Stoughton ExPost (Incudes BNSF, HUB Group (nose) and BNSF Fight Crime logos) HUBU 238573 Stoughton ExPost (Incudes BNSF, HUB Group (nose) and BNSF Fight Crime logos) So, clearly there was a NCDU 238xxx series, even though John's site (which is usually pretty accurate) doesn't show these existing and being renumbered. I'm still working my way through my 3000 photos from Winslow on the BNSF Transcon from back in April, so I can't say just yet what SWRU 238xxx units and numbers I have. I should be able to have a look at them closer to the weekend. I will post the photos I took back in 2003 as soon as I get access to my scanner. I know you've posted this already to the Intermodal List, but in light of this apparent crossover, I may repost it. Chad Hewitt was with me when we shot the units, so he may be able to shed some more light. Oh, there's different locations for the Swift logo's too, as on these 237xxx cans ;-)
Ok, here's a list of the containers I shot back in April.... HUBU's 237607, 237771, 238003, 238067, 238115, 238230, 238257, 238388, 238458, 238607, 238680, 238681, SWRU's 236392, 236451, 236588, 237084, 237188, 237199,237217, 237235, 237432, 237478 So I didn't catch any SWRU 238xxx series containers....
Hey James, my guess is the 238xxx series lease is not up yet. When it expires, then they will probably get picked up by Swift.
Yeah, that makes sense! What are you thinking of modifying on the Kato containers then? I've only got sets #1 and #2 and they all are in the 238xxx series from memory. Although if you're going to do decals for the logo and the SWRU mark, doing a new number shouldn't be an issue ;-)
When time permits I'll do a couple of Swift cans. I'll see if I can just change the 8 to a 6 or 7, if not I'll redo the whole number. Thanks again for your input.
Not a problem - I look forward to seeing the finished product. Been a fan of your work for some time ;-)
