Introducing the Modular LEGO® Intermodal Standard

I Can’t Contain Myself!

Hello, dad joke of a title aside, I am very happy to be writing this article! My name is Cameron Miller. I founded Iron Horse Brick Co. (https://www.ironhorsebrickco.com/) with Aaron Burnett in September of 2018. I have been out of my dark ages since 2014 and have jumped head first into the world of LEGO® trains. Since the closure of Iron Horse Brick Co., I have become an owner of Brick Train Depot (https://www.bricktraindepot.com/) and that is what ultimately brings me to writing this article. 

A couple months back, Cale from BMR, approached me about defining an intermodal container standard for the 1:48 scale (8 wide) trains that Brick Model Railroader and Brick Train Depot sell. I have had some free container and truck instructions published since my time at Iron Horse Brick Co. and have moved them to Brick Train Depot. Cale wanted to ensure that we could offer compatibility between our brands, much like model train manufacturers do with other scales. 

The original Maersk Tain containers formed the starting point for the Modular LEGO® Intermodal Standard..

Cale and I collaborated with Alex Broccolo, and Chris Stone for this project. We started with what LEGO® has already offered up to us. In the Maersk train (set #10219) the containers are 6×16 studs for the base and 6 bricks (18 plates) tall including the feet. Thankfully for 1:48 scale, 6×16 conveniently works out to about 8 feet (6.4 studs) by 20 feet (16 studs) which is the standard ISO 20ft container. They are typically 8’-6” tall with a high cube version available at 9’-6”. If you are following along with your calculator, 8’6” is 17 plates and 9’6” is 19 plates tall at 1:48 scale. 

ISO Standard 20ft shipping container dimensions.

Here is a link to the standards document that covers the specifics of how we derived and defined each size of containers commonly found in North America. 

In addition to the container dimensions being standardized, the connection points are also defined. Using the Plate, Modified 1 x 2 Rounded with 2 Open Studs (35480) on the bottom and the Tile, Round 1 x 1 with Bar and Pin Holder (20482) on the top to create a secure connection for stacking containers, while still being easy to separate.

The TL;DR of those dimensions is as follows.

Containers will be 6 studs wide.

Containers lengths are:

  • 20’ = 16 studs 
  • 40’ = 32 studs 
  • 45’ = 36 studs 
  • 48’ = 38 studs 
  • 53’ = 42 studs 

Container heights will be 19 plates tall for 8’-6” containers and 21 plates for 9’-6” high cube containers. Both types will have tiles as the top layer. 

Standard shipping container sizes in use today.

We do know that the heights are a little tall but that was done to match the Maersk train and allow for the maximum of construction types. 

There are more details in the document and we hope that this will inspire you to build some containers! 

Brick Model Railroader has some free container instructions coming soon!

20ft and 40ft smooth side, and reefer container instructions coming from BMR.
48ft and 53ft containers coming soon from BMR.

Brick Train Depot has some free container instructions available here! (https://www.bricktraindepot.com/resources/loads/)

Brick Train Depot’s intermodal instructions will be updated to the new standard soon, or for those not wanting to wait, the current designs can be easily modified by the builder to follow MLIS.

We also hope these new containers will inspire new rounds of the LUG container swap that was very popular with the containers from the classic TTX set

ToT-LUG’s train club container collection from one of the original container swaps at BrickWorld 2009.

In addition to the containers, we have included standard definitions for semi-trailers, which are also common in intermodal transport. The definitions outline trailer hitch hight and connection design. Both BTD and BMR will be providing instructions for models based on this standard.

BMR is working on instructions for this 53ft dry van trailer as well as other models based on the new tailer standard.

Until next time, happy building!

Cameron Miller

Download the Modular LEGO® Intermodal Standard here

Hold On There!

Cale here. You didn’t think I would let Cam steal all the spotlight on this one did you?

I just wanted to add how excited I am to have worked with Cameron, Alex Broccolo, and Chris Stone on developing this standard for the LEGO train community. I think this is a standard which has been needed for some time.

This new standard will allow intermodal designs from BMR to interact seamlessly with those from Brick Train Depot. This is win for every one. It continues to create a healthy ecosystem for the LEGO train hobby, where builders can freely enjoy models from both of our groups, and any one else following the standard, with the knowledge the they will all work together seamlessly.

This will also hopefully be a welcome addition to collaborations between train builders. Builders can create intermodal models that will work perfectly with those from other builders from across the globe. This is key in being able to bring back the Train Club Container Swaps. Something I’m very much looking forward to.

Brick Model Railroader has been working on several models based on this new standard. We have instructions coming for an articulated well car set designed by Chris Stone, and I have container, trailer, and truck model instructions that will be rolling out over the coming months. We will have some awesome decal sets available for those models too. And of course Brick Train Depot will be updating their models and creating new ones to take advantage of the standard as well.

I have to admit, I may be known as a steam guy, but I have a secret love for intermodal. It’s my modern model railroading vice. 😁 So this is a pretty exciting to see. I expect some really great models to come from this.

Today is a good day to play with trains.

Cale
BMR

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