Wheels on Wheels 01 -Trailers for TrailerTrain Flatcar

: Georgia, winter 1970

Though I mainly collect boxcar red boxcars, I'm also attracted by the showy colors and graphics of the equipment. So, I decided to decorate 40' trailers to welcome the brown TrailerTrain flatcars announced by BLMA.
I had little information about the truck carriers in the U.S. So I tried to research using the internet about the carriers who would have used trains. But the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 disturbed me from researching the carrier printed in Micro Scale decals. Here are the results of my poor research. I also didn't care about the trailer manufacturer like Fruehauf, Strick, and others.
First of all, I decorated the Athearn trailer #ATH14200 with Microscale #60-237.

Microscale decal #60-237;
reporting mark list I used;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 02 -Brillion & Forest Junction Railroad trailer

: Brillion & Forest Junction Railroad trailer

This trailer with a cute pig on the flatcar was owned by Brillion & Forest Junction Railroad. As I didn't know at all about this short line, I supposed the carrier to be carrying forest products.

The railroad operated about 5 miles segment of the ex-C&NW branch between Brillion and Forest Junction in WI. The railroad was established in 1987 and was abandoned only 9 years later. Reporting mark was BFJ and BFJR for the equipment, SBFZ for the trailer.

Fallen Flag site has a fine pic of the trailer. Maybe I should have erased the Fruehauf maker's plate, as we can find the oval Strick plate in the pic and also in the Microscale decal sheet.

Pic of BFJR Trailer at Fallen Flags page;
Strick homepage;
Great Dane homepage;
Utility homepage;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 03 -Bud of California/Cooperative Shippers trailer

: Bud of California trailer

This trailer with a showy logo was owned by Cooperative Shippers Inc. and operated by Bud Antle Inc. (Bud of California). Bud of California is a food grower in Salinas CA, and in active. You could buy T-shirts and caps with the logo at their homepage.

On the other hand I found little information on Cooperative Shippers INC.: only found was the pic of Atlas O scale model.

Did Microscale choose the carrier from the list in alphabetical order? Then, it's a long way to Yellow Freight!

COOPERATIVE SHIPPERS trailer pic（Second van from the end/後ろから２つ目、らしい）:
pic of Atlas O scale model;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 04 -The Budd Leasing trailer

: The Budd Leasing Corporation trailer

This trailer was owned by The Budd Leasing Corporation. Blue logo and red lines represent this company was one of the subsidiary of The Budd Company.
As you know, The Budd Company no longer exists, I couldn't find any further information about BLC, including Hank's Truck Pictures. I only found the reporting mark BUDX under the name of the Budd Company.
I erased the Fruehauf maker's plate applied by Athearn in honor of The Budd Company. As a result, IPA also erased the white paint.

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 05 -Bekins Van lines trailer

: Bekins Trailer

This trailer with a classic logo was owned by Bekins Van lines. Founded in 1891, Bekins Van Lines specializes in moving and carrying households, full grown and in active today. Bekins is not listed in 1976 OIER. Reporting mark is unknown.

Drop frame vans seem typical at Bekins. Maybe I should have used Trainworx drop frame van. But straight vans are possible. I found a photo at RR picture archives.

Bekins Homepage:
Pic of Bekins trailer at Hank's Truck Pictures site:
Bekins trailer at RR picture archives site;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 06 -Consolidated Freightways trailer

: Consolidated Freightways trailer

Next, I researched the carriers printed in Microscale #60-4 decal.

This trailer with a 7-11 convenience store like color was owned by Consolidated Freightways Corporation based in Menlo Park, CA. Leland James founded the company in 1929. Consolidated Freightways grown up as one of the biggest 3 carriers in U.S., connecting north west coast including Canada and Chicago area. The company was declared bankrupt in 2002. Reporting Mark was CFWY and CFWZ.

Microscale #60-4 decal;
1950's brochure from Consolidated Freightways;
CF trailers on Rio Grande Prospector

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 07 -Pacific Intermountain Express trailer

: Pacific Intermountain Express trailer

This trailer with a logo using classical font was owned by Pacific Intermountain Express based in Oakland, CA.
Utah-California Motor Lines established in 1933 by Ray Lilenquest is one of the origins of P.I.E. In 1937, R.A. Conyes bought the company and renamed to Conyes Freight Lines. In 1940, Conyes, P-I-E of Colorado and P-I-E of California merged to form Pacific Intermountain Express.
Sounds like a model railroad manufacturer, P.I.E. was one of the biggest LTL carriers in U.S. It connected west coast and Chicago via Salt Lake City. The later combination with Ryder didn't stand against the failure in 1991. Reporting Mark was PIEC.

P.I.E. ad from a magazine;
Ryder homepage;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 08 -Navajo Freight Lines trailer

: Navajo Freight Lines trailer

This trailer with the "blue-eyed Indian" logo was owned by Navajo Freight Lines Inc. based in Denver, CO.
Boulder Dam Freight Lines founded in Kingman, AZ in the '20s was the root of the Navajo Freight Lines. The direct origin was the Kansas City-Los Angeles Flyer Transport Co. founded in 1934. It became the third coast-to-coast carrier in 1961. The company was acquired by Arkansas Best Corporation in 1978.

The "blue-eyed Indian" logo was introduced in 1940. The "blue-eyed Indian" should come in front of the letters, contrary to the Microscale instruction. We can find a picture of NAVAJO trailer in p.87 of Rockisland MSCG. Reporting Mark was NAVA.

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Wheels on Wheels 09 -Transcon Lines trailer

: Transcon Lines trailer

This trailer was owned by Transcon Lines. In 1946, Scribner Birlenbach established the Transcon Lines at Los Angeles, CA. The Lines connected Los Angles, San Francisco, Oklahoma City, Chicago, Huston and Atlanta. But the Lines couldn't win in the war after the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, it was sold and closed down in 1990. Reporting Mark was TRAN.

related resources;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 10 -Republic Carloading & Distributing trailer

: Republic trailer

This trailer was owned by Republic Carloading & Distributing, the company established in New York.
Republic used not only trucks but also boxcars to handle the freight. It became part of Yellow Freight in 1975. Reporting Mark is unknown.
Mote Marine Laboratory in FL was named after the founder of this company, William Russell Mote.

related resources;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 11 - Dixie-Ohio Express trailer

: DOX trailer

This trailer was owned by Dixie-Ohio Express Co,, established in 1934 at Akron, Ohio where the Roadway Express also had the headquarter.
Dixie-Ohio Express did much of its business with rubber industries like Goodyear and Firestone, carrying fabrics and tires. The company was sold in 1970. Reporting Mark was DOXY.

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 12 – Rio Grande Motorway trailer

: RGMW70-2423Z

Last year, TRAINWORX produced 40’ corrugated vans. The type seemed adequate for the Rio Grande Motorway trailer appeared in p.64 of Morning Sun “Rio Grande Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment”. We can also find some pictures of Motorway equipment on the web.

I stripped a decorated model and added some details: plates for the Herald on sides, triangular plates on support and a stirrup-shaped device under the chassis. Pat Sanders of TRAINWORX taught me that it’s a spare tire carrier, a distinctive to Timpt trailer, and sent me references. Decals are the product of Microscale.

D&RGW subsidiary, Rio Grande Motorway Inc. was established in 1925 and operated buses and trucks in the territory. Passenger service was folded into National Trailways Bus System in 1936. Motorway served as feeders to the parent railroad according to the 1951 route map I represented before. Unfortunately, however, the company was closed down in 1982: most of the route was taken over by Edson Express Inc.[1, 2].

revised, Dec. 16, 2018

[1] May 27, 1982 New York Times;
[2] Edson Express, Incorporatated, Western History Subject Index, Denver public Library;
* related resources;
* Rio Grande Motorway trailer photo;
* Rio Grande Motorway tractor photo;
* Rio Grande Motorway route map;

P.S. TRAINWORX recently announced the production of this trailer.

: spare tire carrier

Japanese & Comments

Bringin' Back the Scene 01 – Ford Fairmont, part 1

: Hinton, ALTA, Canada. summer, 1971

I wanted to reproduce the CN 89’ tri-level open auto rack car with load found in my archive photo taken in 1971, because the colors of the load seemed "70s" to me. In the photo, the load seems 4 door sedans in 7 different colors.

I found some N scale sedans which meet the prototype period from the recent market: 1978 Ford Fairmont by Atlas(MSRP $11.95 for 2), 1967-1971 Opel Rekord by Busch($13.99 for 2), 1978 Chevrolet Impala by Classic Metal Works($12.25 for 2) and 1965-1973 Opel Kadett B by Herpa($24.25 for2).

As I have no idea which cars were loaded in the prototype photo, I chose Atlas product because of its price, color variation and availability. Also is that Rio Grande carried Ford: adequate for pool service car in Rio Grande’s “Ford fast” consists. But when I tried to load the Fairmont on the MTL auto rack, only 5 cars were permitted in a rack. Was Atlas Fairmont over-scaled?

According to Wikicars web site, the dimensions of the prototype Fairmont are 193.8”(4.923m) length, 70.2”( 1.783m) width, 53.5”(1.359m) height and 105.5”(2.680m) wheelbase. In N scale, that must be 30.8mm length, 11.1mm width, 8.5mm height and 16.8mm wheelbase.

Contrary to my expectation, Atlas model was pretty well scale-modeled: dimensions are 30.8mm length, 11.1mm width, 8.9mm height and 16.5mm wheelbase. I gave up an idea to load 6 cars a rack and only gave Ford a cosmetic surgery: lowered the height and painted the bumper rubber and reflective plate.

Ford Fairmont dimensions;
used Atlas model; Ford Fairmont in Polar White, Cream, Medium Chestnut, Bright Russet Red, Light Chamois and Medium Blue (green is of Tamiya XF-71).

: before (cream) and after (red)

: comparing the height

Japanese & Comments

Bringin' Back the Scene 02 – Ford Fairmont, part 2

: Fairmonts ready to load

I was trying to reproduce the scene using Ford Fairmont produced by Atlas.

Loading the cars neatly on the auto rack considered not easy, I fixed 5 cars on a black-painted thin plastic plate cut to the dimension fitting into the auto rack’s ditch. The cars hereby can be loaded neatly without glues. That would make future weathering easy, too.

I used Micro-Trains 112020 RD# CN700721. Though the model lacks the right CN logo plate, the building date of the car suggested by MTL is 1972: that’s enough for me. Also used in the photo below reproducing the scene are MTL32260 RD# PGE4521 and MTL54050 RD# TT80280.

I’m satisfied with the result. The only problem is that the cost. I can buy a locomotive!

: Hinton, ALTA, Canada. summer, 1971
: summer, 2012

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 13 – Clipper Exxpress Co./Clipper Carloading Co. trailer

: CLIPPER EXXPRESS trailer

Clipper Exxpress, established in 1938 by Jerry Chambers, was a family-owned trucking company headquartered in Chicago. Clipper offered intermodal LTL (less-than-truckload) service from Chicago to the West Coast. The map-like herald on the rear door represents the service area.
In 1987, the company was sold to Arkansas Best Freight Corporation, and in 2006, it was acquired by the Wheels Group and re-branded as Wheels Clipper. Reporting mark is unknown.

The model is a re-decorated 40’ trailer from Atlas Trainman 50’ flatcar w/trailer. I used Microscale 60-347 decal. The scheme is of suggested in Microscale’s instruction, because I couldn’t find clear prototype photo. I also refered to the HO scale Model produced by Athearn.

Pics found in Hank’s Truck Forum, 1;
Pics found in Hank’s Truck Forum, 2;
Web page refers to the founder Jerry Chambers;
Wheels Clipper home page;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 14 – Chief Freight Lines trailer

: CHIEF trailer

Chief Freight Lines was a trucking company headquartered in Kansas City, MO and connected Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Fort Worth. The company went bankrupt in 1980. The remnants were survived as C.H.I.E.F.. (Custom Highway Interstate Express Freight). Unfortunately, C.H.I.E.F.. went bankrupt same year. Reporting mark is unknown.

The model is a redecorated 40’ trailer from Atlas Trainman 50’ flatcar w/trailer. I used Microscale 60-308 decal. The scheme is of suggested in Microscale’s instruction; Pics found in Hank’s Truck Pictures web page shows white body, while Microscale suggests aluminum.

Pic found in Hank’s Truck Pictures web page, 1;
Pic found in Hank’s Truck Pictures web page, 2;
Tulsa in the '70s;

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 15 - AVAILCO trailer

: AVAILCO trailer

Availco Corporation was a leasing company headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. In 1987, by then Availco Systems Inc. sold all the fleet of 10600 piggyback trailers it operated to XTRA Corp. of Boston.
The trademark with two fanciful representation of "AVA." was first used in 1973. Reporting mark was AVAZ.

I used 40’ Fruehauf Z-Van Trailer produced by Athearn for the model. The decal used is Microscale 60-233. The scheme is of suggested in Microscale’s instruction: it represents the right side. I also referred to the pic at Hank’s Truck Pictures web page: it was taken from the left side.

Pic of a trailer found in Hank’s Truck Pictures web page;
Pic found in RR Picture Archives, 1;
Pic found in RR Picture Archives, 2;
item on registered trademark;

Japanese & Comments

Bringin’ Back the Scene 03 – Southern Railway intermodal freight

: Knoxville, TN, Winter, 1970

Wheels of Time produced Sea-land 35’ containers in summer 2012. 35 feet long would sound strange as we are used to 40 feet containers. But I found them in my photo archive. The picture shows Southern Railway freight bound for Chattanooga departing John Sevier yard at Knoxville TN. Here, Sea-land equipment #54694 and its partners loaded on Trailertrain flatcars can be seen.

According to the Feb 1976 “Official Intermodal Equipment Register (OIER)”, #54694 was a part of 50000 – 58746 series 35’ dry “van”; believed to be container welded to chassis. The connectors on the corner of the equipment appeared in the photo suggests its origin. So, I decided to reproduce this scene using the Wheels of Time product.

Today, boxcar red Trailertrain flats are coming from MTL, BLMA, and TRAINWORX. 35’ Sea-land container/trailer can be realized using Wheels of Time product. The point is the trailers on the first car. They seem an SOU container/van and a smooth side Sea-land container/van. I decided to kitbash dead stock Deluxe Innovations 40’ corrugated containers to create them for the scene.

Wheels of Time item and Sea-land information page;
forum discussing Sea-land 35’ containers;
Sea-land equipments appeared in my blog;

: reproduced scene

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 16 – 35’ Sea-land Service Container on chassis

: Sea-land container on chassis

Sea-land Service, founded by Malcolm Mclean in 1960, was an inter-coastal transportation services company headquartered at Elizabeth, NJ. The company created the inter-coastal containerization system and helped the nation. CSX once held the company. The international service held by the company is now accomplished by Maersk, and the domestic service by Horizon.

The model is an assembled Wheels of Time kit. The kit was rather burr-ish but easy to assemble. The point was to glue the tires carefully not to lean the container to the side. Cutting a thin styrene sheet to exact herald size was rather difficult for me: you can enjoy the work. I added the floor plate to the container using Evergreen 4037 styrene sheet to avoid showing the interior. Also added is the mud flaps on chassis.

I spray painted the container silver and the chassis red referring the instruction attached to the kit. The decal is also a Wheels of Time product.

Sea-land ribbed side container appeared in a 1970 movie;

: Wheels of Time kit as delivered

: finished model

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 17 – 35’ Sea-land Service Refrigerated Container on chassis

: Sea-land refrigerated container on chassis

The farmost van shown in the archive photo seemed a smooth side Sea-land equipment. Refrigerated Sea-land containers had smooth sides. According to the Feb 1976 “Official Intermodal Equipment Register (OIER)”, Sea-land reefers are all 35 feet long at that time. So, I tried to make 35’ refrigerated container on chassis.

I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ corrugated container. I cut and shortened to scale 35 feet, shove the ribs and covered it with thin styrene sheet. Head end was dropped back for the refrigerating unit. The unit was made from styrene sheet with a piece from Athearn boxcar roofwalk for the grill. Ladder is a Gold Medal product. The chassis is a Deluxe Innovations product also shortened to fit 35’ container.

I spray painted the container silver and the chassis red. Horizontal ribs on the sides are scanned TRAINWORX trailer side printed on clear decal sheet. Logos and letterings came from Wheels of Time.

Sea-land refrigerated container photo taken in 1974 found at Hank’s page;
Sea-land refrigerated container appeared in a 1967 movie;

: finished model

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 18 – 40’ Southern Railway Container welded to chassis

: SOU container welded to chassis

It seemed the Southern Railway van on the first flatcar was a smooth side container on chassis. But, according to the Feb 1976 “Official Intermodal Equipment Register (OIER)”, SOU rostered only vans. But we can see the connectors on the corner of the van in the photo. This suggests its origin. Certainly, there is a note in OIER that some of the rostered vans are containers welded to chassis. I also found some prototype photos on the web.

According to the OIER note, SOUZ “Dry Van, Semi – Insulated. Licensed in Tenn” 700413 to 700512, 700513 to 700712 were “containers that have been welded to chassis”. The outside length of these vans was 40 feet, outside width 8 feet: exactly the container size. Outside height was 12 feet 6 inches; 1 foot lower than standard van/trailer.

I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ corrugated container. I shove the ribs and covered it with thin styrene sheet. The chassis is also a Deluxe Innovations product. I spray painted the container silver. Horizontal ribs on the sides are scanned TRAINWORX trailer side printed on the clear decal sheet. Letterings are from Microscale 60-308 decal. Chassis was left unpainted because I couldn’t find the paint scheme of chassis SOU used.

SOUZ 700664 photo found in Fallen Flag site;
SOUZ 700564 photo found in RR Picture Archives site;
head end of SOUZ 700564;

: finished model

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 19 – 40’ “K” LINE Container on chassis

: “K” Line container on chassis

Some pictures on the web show ocean containers loaded on flatcar altogether with chassis; maybe according to unloading facilities at the destination. So, I decided to model ’70s ocean containers for my “Wheels on Wheels” lineup.

In the ’70s, Japan exported a large number of products to the United States using its own fleets; like today’s China. The Feb 1976 Official Intermodal Equipment Register (OIER) lists a total of 6 Japanese steamship companies. I decided to model containers owned by Japanese steamship companies. Here are the results starting with the “K” Line.

“K” LINE (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.), headquartered in Kobe, Japan is a shipping company established in 1919. “K” Line introduced its first container vessel for trans-Pacific service in 1968. The funnel mark for the fleet is white “K” in red. Reporting marks for the container in the ‘70s were ESSU, ITSU KKLU, and KMEU. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 11397 containers.

I found a photo of the “K” Line container KKLU205432 on The Intermodal Container Web Page. According to the Feb 1976 OIER, KKLU205432 was one of the 204547 to 206292 series dry vans. The outside length of these vans was 40 feet, outside width 8 feet, outside height 8 feet 6 inches, and capacity of 2398 cubic feet or 60230 pounds. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 1746 containers in this series.

According to the photo, it had aluminum smooth sides and ends. So, I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ reefer container for the model. I shove off the reefer unit represented on the product and applied a thin styrene sheet.

I spray painted the container silver using Tamiya TS-17. Decals used are Microscale #60-784 assorted with homemade decal. Co-starring chassis in the photo is an undecorated Deluxe Innovations product.

Athearn announced this very item in N scale in Mar. 2019 and arrived in Mar. 2021.

revised, Sep. 24, 2015

revised, Mar. 6, 2021

’70s “K” line container photos found on web, 1;
’70s “K” line container photos found on web, 2;

: KKLU205432
: vaughn, NM. Sep. 12, 2015
: vaughn, NM. Sep. 12, 2015
: Athearn product

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 20 – 40’ NYK LINE Container on chassis

: NYK container on chassis

Here is another Japanese shipping company's container loaded on chassis.

NYK LINE (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan is a shipping company established in 1885. NYK Line introduced its first container vessel for trans-Pacific service in 1968. The funnel mark for the fleet is two red lines on white. Reporting marks for the container in the ‘70s were NYK, NYKB, NYKC, NYKE, NYKF, NYKJ, NYKL, NYKR, NYKS, and NYKU. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 21483 containers.

I found a photo of NYK Line container NYAU6814322 on The Intermodal Container Web Page. But the NYAU6814322 is not listed in the Feb 1976 OIER. I’m interested in the container loaded below NYAU6814322 in the photo because it lacks the blue lines on the sides; it seemed easier to decorate. So, I decided to make the container below.

According to the photo, it had aluminum smooth sides and a ribbed end. So, I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ reefer container for the model. I shove off the reefer unit represented on the product and applied a thin styrene sheet and brass flat bars.

I spray painted the container silver using Tamiya TS-17. Decals used are Microscale #60-766 assorted with homemade decal (though, the flag by Microscale was a little small. Maybe I should have done with homemade). Co-starring chassis in the photo is an undecorated Deluxe Innovations product.

Athearn announced this very item in N scale in Mar. 2019 and it was arrived in Mar. 2021.

revised, Mar. 6, 2021

’70s NYK line container photo found on web;

: NYAU6XXXXXX
: Athearn product

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 21 – 40’ Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Container on chassis

: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines container on chassis

Here is another Japanese shipping company's container loaded on chassis.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Shosen Mitsui), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a shipping company established in 1878.
In 1884, the company changed its name to OSK Lines (Osaka Shosen Kaisha).
In 1964, OSK Lines and Mitsui Steamship Co., established in 1942 merged to create Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
In 1999, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines absorbed Navix Line established in 1989 and created MOL Japan.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines introduced its first container vessel for trans-Pacific service in 1968. The funnel mark for the fleet is orange. Reporting marks for the container in the ‘70s were MOA, MOB, MOH, MOP, MOR, MOS, and MOLU. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 11764 containers.

I found a photo of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines container MOLU2123036 at The Intermodal Container Web Page. But the MOLU2123036 is not listed in the Feb 1976 OIER.

According to the photo, it had aluminum smooth sides and ends. So, I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ reefer container for the model. I shove off the reefer unit represented on the product and applied a thin styrene sheet.

I spray painted the container silver using Tamiya TS-17. Decals used are Microscale #60-299 assorted with homemade decal. Co-starring chassis in the photo is an undecorated Deluxe Innovations product.

Athearn announced this very item in N scale in Mar. 2019 and it was arrived in Mar. 2021.

revised, Mar. 6, 2021

’70s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines container photo found on web;

: MOLU2123036
: Athearn product

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 22 – 40’ SHOWA Line Container on chassis

: Showa Line container on chassis

I previously introduced containers owned by Japanese steamship companies. This time, I'll introduce the containers owned by “fallen flag” Japanese steamship companies listed in the Feb 1976 OIER.

Showa Line, Ltd. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, was a shipping company established in 1964 according to the merger of Nippon Yusosen and Nissan Kisen. The company was absorbed into NYK Line in 1998. The funnel mark for the fleet was the red logo on white. Reporting marks for the container in the ‘70s were BK, F, P, S, SFD, SLFR, SLHT, SLRF, SLTF, SND, T, Z, and SHWU. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 6359 containers.

I found a photo of Showa Line container SHWU2006527 on The Intermodal Container Web Page. According to the Feb 1976 OIER, SHWU2006527 was one of the 2004510 to 2007009 series dry vans. The outside length of these vans was 40 feet, outside width 8 feet, outside height 8 feet 6 inches, and capacity of 2386 cubic feet or 60600 pounds. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 250 containers in this series.

According to the photo, it had aluminum smooth sides and an end. So, I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ reefer container for the model. I shove off the reefer unit represented on the product and applied a thin styrene sheet.

I spray painted the container silver using Tamiya TS-17. Decals used are Microscale #60-299 assorted with homemade decal. Co-starring chassis in the photo is an undecorated Deluxe Innovations product.

Athearn announced this very item in N scale in Jun. 2019 and it was arrived in Mar. 2021.

revised, Mar. 6, 2021

’70s Showa Line container photo found on web;

: SHWU2006527
: Athearn product

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 23 – 40’ Japan Line Container on chassis

: Japan Line container on chassis

Japan Line Ltd. was a shipping company established in 1964, according to the merger of Nitto Shosen established in 1937 and Daido Kaiun established in 1930. The company was merged with Y.S. Line to form Navix Line in 1989. Navix Line was absorbed into Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in 1999. The funnel mark for the fleet was green. Reporting marks for the container were JLAU, JLNU, JLLU, and JLPU. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 5909 containers.

I found a photo of Japan Line container JLAU205214 on The Intermodal Container Web Page. But the JLAU205214 is not listed in the Feb 1976 OIER.

According to the photo, it had aluminum smooth sides and an end. So, I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ reefer container for the model. I shove off the reefer unit represented on the product and applied a thin styrene sheet.

I spray painted the container silver using Tamiya TS-17. I made the decal to represent the faded green in the prototype photo (Microscale produces the exact scheme as #60-311). Co-starring chassis in the photo is an undecorated Deluxe Innovations product.

Athearn announced this very item in N scale in Jun. 2019 and it was arrived in Mar. 2021.

revised, Mar. 6, 2021

’70s Japan Line container photos found on web;

: JLAU205214
: Athearn product

Japanese & Comments

Wheels on Wheels 24 – 40’ Y.S. Line Container on chassis

: Y.S. Line container on chassis

Y.S. Line (Yamashita-Shinnihon Kisen) was a shipping company established in 1964, according to the merger of Yamashita Kisen established in 1917 and Shinnihon Kisen established in 1905. In 1989, the company was merged with Japan Line to form Navix Line. The funnel mark for the fleet was orange. Reporting marks for the container were KYSU, YSAA, YSAD, YSAM, YSFD, YSFF, YSLD, YSLM, and YSLU. Feb 1976 OIER lists a total of 6765 containers.

I found a photo of Y.S. Line container YSAA205258 at The Intermodal Container Web Page. But the YSAA205258 is not listed in the Feb 1976 OIER.

According to the photo, it had aluminum smooth sides and an end. So, I used Deluxe Innovations 40’ reefer container for the model. I shove off the reefer unit represented on the product and applied a thin styrene sheet.

I spray painted the container silver using Tamiya TS-17. Decals used are homemade. Co-starring chassis in the photo is an undecorated Deluxe Innovations product.

Athearn announced this very item in N scale in Jun. 2019 and it was arrived in Mar. 2021.

revised, Mar. 6, 2021

’70s Y.S. Line container photos found on web;

: YSAA205258
: Athearn product
: Y.S. Line vessel found at Alaska in 1968

Japanese & Comments