CRMU 231043 is 53' container built by Monon. It was on MAIL-3 (Kearny, NJ - East St. Louis, MO).
Location: Bound Brook, NJ
Photo Date: 8-92
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: February 28, 1999

CRMU 231056 is a 53' container built by Monon. Note the repaired and repainted section.
Location: Lewistown, PA
Photo Date: 10-2-97
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: February 28, 1999

CRMU 231063 is a 53' container built by Monon.
Location: Bound Brook, NJ
Photo Date: 8-92
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: February 28, 1999

When Conrail purchased containers for their new Mercury service, they also purchased a like number of chassis. The blue CRMZ chassis, like this one, were for 48' containers, while the gray CRMZ chassis were for the 53' Monon containers.
Location: Unknown
Photo Date: ?-98
Photographer: Wes Reminder     Added: August 8, 1998

48' Strick trailers were the primary Conrail Mercury trailer, with some second-hand 45' Monon units being added in the mid-1990's. This trailer is interesting since it lacks the usual USPS Contractor sticker that was applied to trailers hauling mail.
Location: Camp Hill, PA
Photo Date: ?-92
Photographer: John Becker     Added: May 22, 1998

The white 48' Strick trailers succumbed quickly to the weather, with rust and grime washing down the sides.
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: 2-7-97
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 22, 1998

Conrail trailers could be seen on flatcars from any railroad. This trailer just happens to be riding on NS 159476, a Norfolk Southern class FS-135 flat car built from the frame of an old boxcar.
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: ?-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 23, 2022

Some Mercury trailers were assigned to dedicated corridor service, as on this one assigned to New Jersey-Dallas service. However, this dedicated service didn't last long. The US Mail is painted red on the end of this unit instead of the usual blue. CRMZ 229084 is ridding atop a 4-Runner flatcar on CSX intermodal Q-14413.
Location: Flomaton, AL
Photo Date: 2-14-98
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: February 28, 1999

Location: Flomaton, AL
Photo Date: 2-14-98
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: June 19, 2000

Heading west on a stormy winter day.
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: 1-95
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: February 5, 2022

CRMZ 229114 was on MAIL-3 (Kearny, NJ - East St. Louis, MO).
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Photo Date: 6-96
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: May 22, 1998

Well, this is another dedicated service trailer but it's not exactly in its service lane in eastern Pennsylvania on MAIL-3, is it?
Location: Reading, PA (CP Belt)
Photo Date: 1-4-97
Photographer: Robert Waller     Added: June 19, 2000

A 48' Strick trailer painted for Pittsburgh to Chicago service.
Location: Union Furnace, PA
Photo Date: ?-94
Photographer: John Becker     Added: May 22, 1998

Trailers and containers often experienced damage while in service. Sometimes the entire trailer would be repainted, but often the shops repaired the damaged section, leaving the patched look you see on this trailer riding on an FEC flat.
Location: Berea, OH
Photo Date: 10-9-97
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: February 28, 1999

A 45' Monon trailer bought second-hand from Xtra and given CRMZ markings.
Location: Allentown, PA
Photo Date: ?-95
Photographer: John Becker     Added: May 22, 1998

A former Xtra 45' Monon trailer without the Xtra heralds.
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Photo Date: ?-95
Photographer: John Becker     Added: May 22, 1998

Technically an NACS container, this was painted to commemorate the anniversary of the joint venture between the railroads pictured on the side.
Location: Pensacola, FL
Photo Date: 1-24-99
Photographer: Robert Russell     Added: June 19, 2000