Reproduced from Toll Today, Dec 2006 

Australia 's First Double-Stackable 48' Curtain-Side Road / Rail Container 

Toll Express General Manager Neil Pollington, recognised the need for such a container in early 2005 and turned to the innovative container designers Intermodal Solutions (IS) for the answer. National Operations Manager Tim O'Brien, was given the task to assist IS with Toll's requirements and together with other key Toll Express personnel were able to fully provide IS with Toll's wish list.

Design Process

During the design process it became apparent that Pacific National (PN) was looking at placing various surcharges on curtain-side containers due to non double-stacking capabilities. At that time, Pacific National only had 40% double-stacking capabilities from Adelaide-Perth due to the amount of curtain-side containers in use. Intermodal Solutions proceeded to design the first double-stackable curtain-side container in Australia . These units, due to their unique strength and buckle design, can be placed into the PN well wagons, in either the top or bottom positions. One prototype unit was built and after 12 months of service and rave reviews from the customers, Toll Express placed an order for an additional 25 units.

Features and Benefits

In response to Toll's requirement for overheight pallets, two box sections were placed at each end of the container, where overheight pallets could then be placed, with a secure wall to brace their forward and rear movement during transit. Another feature includes mezzanine decks which can fit three pallets wide on the top and bottom. A total of four decks per unit are supplied. The IS design team currently has an application in place to have the end box sections classified as dangerous goods segregation areas. If the application is approved, this will add another string to their bow. The open centre section can fit up to eight pallets or be utilised for awkward oversized freight, with countersunk de-shackle recesses for tying down purposes. A total of 24 pallets on the floor and 12 pallets on the mezzanine decks can be achieved in each container.

Below: Extremely pleased with the outcome are some of the Toll Express and Intermodal Solutions teams (left to right)

Shaun Mooney ?Financial Controller ?Toll Express; Matthew Chalmers National Technical Manager ?Intermodal Solutions; Craig Neilson ?Toll Express; Garry Pinder ?Director ?Intermodal Solutions; Michael Horne ?Director ?Intermodal Solutions and Adem Karafili ?Toll Express.

Below: The Toll Express double-stackable curtain-side container without curtains displaying its unique features.