IHC old time tank car

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Is there a prototype for the old time wooden tank car by IHC? Era if it might have existed?

I have been looking and have not found any info so far. Thanks.

Rich

2

I’ve seen photos of the transcontinental railroad under construction which indicate that the Central Pacific hauled water from California to Nevada is cars of this type.

Probably mid to late 1800s, before steel tank cars were invented. Some narrow guage and short lines may have continued using such cars into the 1900’s.

3

I always thought the water tank was too large, compare it to an oil tank car. IHC old time cars tend to be of odd proportions as they were never really scale. The cattle cars are really narrowed OO scale Pennsy 1870 cars.

I bought some of the water tank cars cheap and will probably make them into flatcars or make a oil tank similar to the MDC old time tank and go that route. The MDC tank fits on them perfectly.

That is the IHC water tank flat with MDC oil tank in the background.

Harold