Modelling Modern-era Containers Part 3: Domestic Containers
General purpose 48–53 foot containers are extremely common on domestic rail freight services and are ideally suited to low-density high-cubic sized freight that commonly consists of consumer goods found in supermarkets and retail shops. Early 9 foot 6-inch high containers often carry the code MEG1, while more recent containers are 9 foot 10-inch MFG1 and MFGB types. 53 foot PFG1 containers are mainly operated by Linfox , some being new builds and others repainted Boxcar containers.
Some of the early large-size containers from the 1990s were marked for Boxcar, Toll and FCL, with many of these still in service today, albeit painted in other liveries such as Linfox.
The major freight-forwarding and logistic companies have large quantities of 48 foot general purpose containers, with some notable fleets being Toll, Linfox/FCL, Aurizon [Linfox], SCT and Pacific National. Leasing companies SCF and Royal Wolf also have sizable fleets. 53 foot containers in general freight are less common, with Linfox having the lion’s share (also inheriting some 54 foot FCL containers), a small number being owned by GWA (formerly FreightLink).
Worthy to be included in this category are two mammoth prototypes that are both around 60 foot long. The ‘world’s longest container’ when manufactured more than 15 years ago was FCL’s 19 metre FCPU 628600-9 and, recently, Sadleirs prototype RCS 6301 was a trial to replace louvre vans.
Self-powered thermal containers are commonly referred to
