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Intermountain’s new ‘early’ Hyundai 53-footer is here.

IF YOU’RE INTO modelling modern US intermodal operations you can never have enough 53ft domestic containers. Intermountain has been a strong supporter of this side of the hobby and after a maddening delay (but not as frustrating as the wait for its Gunderson Maxi-IV wells!), its very useful early-style Hyundai containers are now available, following hot on the heels of the ‘late’ version released a couple of months back.

For my purposes, this is an exceptionally important container. Finally I have some variation in the range of EMP boxes that are suitable to run on my 2005-period Guilford Rail System intermodal. I also picked up a three-pack of the Hub Group/Burlington Northern Santa Fe-branded items.

If you’re familiar with Intermountain’s previously-produced boxes then the standard of these won’t come as any surprise. These come packaged as part of the ‘A-Line by Intermountain’ range.

The containers are well tooled with nice sharp printing, and include separate locking bars. What else do you want from an ‘HO’ scale box?

Both paint schemes on view here are available in two alternately numbered three-packs. This is 30604-02, which includes containers marked HUBU 233396, 233591 and 233665.

The EMP examples are 30603-01 (EMHU 230107, 230575 & 231192) and 30603-02 (EMHU 230489, 230634 & 231199). Did I say I was pleased to see these? It’s all the nicer, as Athearn has steadfastly refused to rerun its Stoughton 53ft container with the plain EMP logos. It’s been over half a decade since the last and only run!

Other schemes available on the ‘early’ box are NACS, Trailer Bridge, Hub Group (Norfolk Southern) and undecorated.

I was hoping to pose these on the new Athearn TTRX 57ft 3-unit spine, but mine haven’t arrived yet!

Click on the pictures for the larger versions.