Deluxe Innovations Refrigerated Containers

[Pathtimber]

I am trying to build up my container fleet, and was looking for information on the Deluxe Innovations refrigerated containers. The Green Light Intermodal site is either down or gone.

So what era are these? I model modern (2105) and they seem readily available on that auction site.

[peteski]

I model modern (2105) and they seem readily available on that auction site.

2105?  That is *REALLY* modern!  Sorry - couldn't help myself.   
Those containers do look modern (contemporary), but I'm no container expert.

[ryan_wilkerson]

I seem to recall seeing these starting in the 90s and even track side recently. The most interesting one is the 5-set of double stacks that hold 9 refrigerated containers and one power pack. They run power lines to each container. I'm assuming this is to enable them to make long distances without having to worry about refueling.

[jagged ben]

Most of the DI containers represent schemes that were more common back in the 80s and 90s but may still be around in small numbers.  Unfortunately with DIs troubles in recent years they have not kept up with producing present day schemes. 

The 10packs that ryan is referring to I have seen with K-line specifically.  Those would still be appropriate today. 

If you have questions about specific schemes I'm happy to peruse my photo collection and offer wisdom.

[NSEGeorge]

the drawings we used to create the 40' reefer tooling came from Klinge for the body and Carrier for the reefer unit.

Our era of deluxe used schemes that were documented in Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor in the West, Chicago and Kansas City yards in the middle, and Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Florida and Atlanta yards in the East all during 1994 to 2004. Most of the schemes are still in the mix today, although some are getting more scarce as the prototype's container excess capacity situation continues. (thanks 2008! )

Our reference books went with the sale of the company to Dave, and he has indeed struggled since. Hopefully he will get his stuff together and can offer some of the very interesting up to date contemporary schemes that are out there now. I know my trains could use them.

George

[Pathtimber]

If it's not bad enough that I typed that I model 2105, its that I saw that, deleted it, and proceeded to retype 2015. 

I appreciate all the info, here is some pics of the ones I saw for sale that I think I can use- or have never heard of the company (Maruba?). The K-line 10 packs sound cool, I'll have to look into that.

I do hope Deluxe can bring these back to market regardless, they are good looking models.

I also added a couple of 20' ones because hey why not.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[jagged ben]

George, thanks for piping up!

The K-line 10-paks were on my mind after seeing this video posted at Trainboard recently.    I think DI did that K-line scheme on a silver background (rather than white) at some point, hopefully you can forgive that if you can find them.  Note there are some other companies in the mix, too.  DI did do a Triton reefer at one point, I think it might have been someone's special run (S&R?).    Sorry, I'm not parting with mine.   

[James Costello]

Just a few comments to follow on from everyone else:

The deLuxe/DeLuxe reefer is more of a classic 80s-90s body style and the schemes they've released to date reflect that. From memory it's a hi-cube 9.5' tall container too. It's a farly standard sheet and post (smooth side) container and you can see some faint panel lines on the model.

The COSCO scheme comes from this era - I haven't seen the panda around much in the last 10 years or so and seems to have gone out with the COSCO / China Shipping reorganisation:
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/ref/cbhu2903810.jpg 
At least the Pacer Stacktrain Thrall 53' well car in the photo puts that COSCO scheme into the "modern" era (post 2001).

From the early to mid 2000s, the sidewalls seem to be more of a composite side (my description) where the panels are more pronounced (or the posts are recessed?) - perhaps with improved insulation:
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/ref/apru5771692.jpg
From memory I saw and shot my first of this style with @NSEGeorge down in Long Beach in 2003 - a K-Line one in the white scheme.

Most of this style onwards seem to be white containers.

The more recent version of this body style has a much more pronounced bottom base rail:
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/ref/mmau1038643.jpg

Here's a site with lots of photos for help with era and paint schemes:
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/refrig.htm

DeLuxe did do the silver K-Line reefer - here's a shot with one of the reefer power packs referenced earlier. K-Line and Sealand had good fleets of these, photos can be rare to find though. Sealand are typically open framed 20' containers.
http://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/ref/klfu5957018.jpg

Generally speaking to the cans you've shown, the Maruba is fairly uncommon in intermodal service. I think the Seaco scheme is also an older one - they merged with GE and GE-Seaco markings are fairly common although Matt's page has quite a few modern cans in lease service with just Seaco markings. The Hapag-Lloyd scheme appears an older one too.

The Maersk-Sealand scheme is the most modern - they merged in July 1999 and the first 40' reefer appeared in this new scheme in January 2000. Still seen today, even though Maersk has dropped the Sealand name from use. 

I must say though, from my observations, the 20' reefer is a relatively rare intermodal load. I don't know the reasons why, but you just don't see them much on the international container trains.

Whilst the N scale world has seen some good developments in ISO dry containers in recent years (Kato, Rolland, DeLuxe etc), the reefers haven't kept up and the two models you show are the only two currently available. These two models, and the paint schemes previously done by deLuxe (plast bags) and DeLuxe (blister packs), are likely all that will be available for some time.

They are great models though. When they were first released I followed this article on how to dress them up and detail them a bit - the techniques work just as well in N:
http://original.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/288/21408/may-1999-page-6
 
Hope this helps!

[Pathtimber]

James, that was very helpful!! And thanks for the site link, I have been looking for just such a site.

Thanks again everyone for your replies!


Chris

[prbharris]

reefers haven't kept up and the two models you show are the only two currently available. These two models, and the paint schemes previously done by deLuxe (plast bags) and DeLuxe (blister packs), are likely all that will be available for some time.

James - very helpful, as ever!

Simon Ansell of N Scale Laser is developing a range of reefer kits. The first are
http://www.nscalelaser.com/shop/n-scale/n-030-53-carrier-reefer-container/
- including double stacks
http://www.nscalelaser.com/shop/n-scale/n-030-53-carrier-reefer-container-double-stack/

and yesterday he showed me the CIMC 53' reefers with three different ThermoKing refrigeration units [that are being provided by N Scale Kits] as single and double stack kits. Again there will be a range of different paint scheme decals [printed by N Scale Kits too].

These shoud provide an alternative to injection molded reefer boxes at a lower cost for filling up those 53' wells! And Yards.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com

[MetroRedLine]

2105?  That is *REALLY* modern!  Sorry - couldn't help myself.   
Those containers do look modern (contemporary), but I'm no container expert.

Actually in 2105, intermodal containers are long obsolete. All bulk goods get across the country via hyperloop within a few hours.

[MetroRedLine]

the drawings we used to create the 40' reefer tooling came from Klinge for the body and Carrier for the reefer unit.

Our era of deluxe used schemes that were documented in Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor in the West, Chicago and Kansas City yards in the middle, and Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Florida and Atlanta yards in the East all during 1994 to 2004. Most of the schemes are still in the mix today, although some are getting more scarce as the prototype's container excess capacity situation continues. (thanks 2008! )

Also, the typical lifespan of an intermodal container is about 10 years, and many container companies since the '90s have either merged, gone out of business, or adopted new branding/liveries.

[MetroRedLine]

I appreciate all the info, here is some pics of the ones I saw for sale that I think I can use- or have never heard of the company (Maruba?). The K-line 10 packs sound cool, I'll have to look into that.

(Attachment Link)

Maruba is an Argentine shipping company; you might see their containers on gulf coast or east coast ports but they're not very common in North America.
They have since updated their livery, so that DI scheme is obsolete:



Hapag-Lloyd has slightly modified their reefer box livery, but it doesn't look that much different than the DI model:



The Seaco containers have an obsolete livery; a few years ago they were known as "GE Seaco" and now they have a new "Seaco" logo and livery:



The Maersk Sealand and COSCO containers are current.

[James Costello]

The Maersk Sealand and COSCO containers are current.

Well, that's not very accurate.

Like I said, I haven't seen the panda logo on a COSCO container in about 10 years and the latest I could find online was from 2006. I'd love to see it proof otherwise though....

The current COSCO scheme seems to have a new logo and Chinese text as seen here:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3226153

Maersk dropped Sealand from their scheme in late 2005 after they acquired P&O Nedlloyd and all new containers since then have either been simply Maersk or Maersk Lines.

Back to the OP, I would still include a couple of Maersk Sealand reefers in my 2015 fleet, but they'd be pretty grubby:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4321919

[prbharris]

Maersk dropped Sealand from their scheme in late 2005 after they acquired P&O Nedlloyd and all new containers since then have either been simply Maersk or Maersk Lines....I would still include a couple of Maersk Sealand reefers in my 2015 fleet, but they'd be pretty grubby

We have included both the Maersk and the Maersk Sealand logos in the decals for the N Scale Laser boxes [see my previous post in this thread for links] - although the pictures just show the Maersk version on the decalled box. The decal sheet picture shows both styles, though. If folks want a copy of the decal sheet separately, please PM me.

Peter

Peter Harris
N Scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com