Intermodal Modeler’s Guide, Volume 1

The number of modelers who model the modern railroad scene continues to grow as the quantity and quality of modern equipment models increases. But the informational needs of modern modelers had been largely ignored until Model Railroading magazine made a commitment to address the needs of modern modelers with the introduction of a monthly Modeling Modern Intermodal series in December 1992. Since then, every issue has had at least one article devoted to intermodal modeling. Intermodal Modeler’s Guide, Volume 1, is the first in a series of books which will combine the Modeling Modern Intermodal articles into handy reference tools for model railroaders interested in the contemporary railroad scene. The articles contained in this volume were originally published in 1994 and 1995.

Intermodal equipment has revolutionized the railroad scene in the past two decades...no longer is the boxcar the common denominator when it comes to the transportation of most goods by rail. The conveyance of containers and trailers has become the key to success for most railroads. Just as modelers used to direct most of their rolling-stock modeling attention to boxcars, reefers, flats, tanks and gons, today’s modelers must redirect their attentions to the equipment that is being used today...and that means intermodal.

It wasn't too many years ago that most modelers felt a 40' boxcar was a 40' boxcar, period. But as the sophistication of modelers increased, so did their expectations. It began to matter whether the model had a Murphy or Hutchins roof, or what type of Dreadnaught end, etc. Like passing down a child's clothes to a younger sibling, those same attitudes that afflicted modelers' perception of the importance of detail on a boxcar were transferred to the container. After all, a 40' container is a 40' container, right? Wrong. Just like the boxcar, containers offer great variety upon closer examination.

The pages that follow provide a wealth of prototype and modeling information to help the modern modeler learn about the prototype, develop his or her modeling skills and to develop an appreciation for the importance that intermodal equipment plays not only on the modern railroad scene, but also on the layouts of modern model railroaders.

Randy Lee
Editor/Publisher