see links for pics-
http://www.movingscam.com/images/offsite/ABF2.jpg
http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/06/34/41810234_1.jpg
I know that railroads dont like to move household goods because of damage claims but perhaps these could be a solution. I contacted my contact at CSX and he is unsure if these units can withstand the forces of rail transport. He said that the railroad would have to do a study on impact of 5 mph or more. The ABF packs look tough enough to go on a flat car..Can Mr Kaufman float this idea around the railroad and see what they say?
http://www.abfs.com/services/relocube.asp more detail on the contruction of these
You might want to research a little on the earlier experience with express containers (the Army's Conex being the example most familiar) and with Mayflower's (if I remember right) use of piggyback, back when it was still called that, and with DOD's wood HHG boxes.
The short of it is that most people, except actual movers - and not all of them- don't appreciate just how well stuff needs to be packed, and claims can be a nightmare. I'm not saying this is a bad idea, just that it isn't new, and has known issues that need to be worked around, especially for the you-pack-it market.
It wsn't ll that long ago that the forces on rail were primarily lateral/fore and aft, while the forces on highway movement were mostly verticle. That would be enough to cause railroads to distance themselves from wooden containers. Further, the rail environment just isn't suited for HHG movement. Where would containers be loaded and unloaded from trains, for example?