Athearn N Smoothside (Sheet Post) 40' Containers

[samusi01]

My Jane's 70-71 lists Showa as only having standard height 40' cans. The manufacturer's section doesn't list anything helpful from Fruehauf, unlike some of the other manufacturer entries. Unfortunately, I don't have any later data readily available... Matt's place has a few sheet and post high cube cans but they aren't exactly thick on the ground, which may be a reflection of the paucity of good container photos of that era. As an example, I can see this one

https://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/images/je/pxcu205381.jpg

despite the photo date as being a 70s era can.

[Mark5]

As an example, I can see this one

https://www.matts-place.com/intermodal/part1/images/je/pxcu205381.jpg

despite the photo date as being a 70s era can.

That's a hi-cube in my opinion - probably from the 80s like the 1985 date says.

I also wonder if Athearn just goofed. Aren't these just N scale versions of their HO releases?

[learmoia]

I also wonder if Athearn just goofed.

Seems to be alot of that these days...

[James Costello]

FWIW, here's a selection of ISO container codes:

1984 L(ft)    H(ft)  Characteristics
4000     40    8        Opening(s) at one end or both ends
4020     40    8        Insulated/vented
4300     40    8.6     Opening(s) at one end or both ends
4301     40    8.6     Dry Van
4305     40    8.6     Dry Van
4320     40    8.6     Insulated/vented
4400     40    9       Dry Van
4420     40    9       Insulated/vented
4426     40    9       Insulated/vented
4500     40    9.6     Opening(s) at one end or both ends
4510     40    9.6     Passive vents at upper part of cargo space
4511     40    9.6     Dry Van
4550     40    9.6     Opening(s) at one or both ends

So as you can see, 40' containers were common enough in 8', 8'6", 9', 9'6" heights prior to 1995 to have their own ISO codes.

So it's not necessarily that the Athearn 9' height is wrong, from a decoration paint of view it should probably have a 4400 ISO code.