Most of the tank car models I see today are modern-era. I’d be interested in some older tankers, from the 1920s or 1930s. Any suggestions for models of these? I tried searching for “Tank Car” at Walthers and got an overwhelming number of hits, too many to search through.
Unless you have a current train show around this isn’t much help to you, but I’ve usually found them at those events.
Jarrell
If you’re interested, I think I’ve got an article from an old MR on scratchbuilding a simple, early tank car. As I recall, these weren’t faithful down to the last rivet but looked decent and were simple. I could have Jeeves search the vaults if you wish.
Lou
Actually if you check out a Car Builder’s Cyclopedia from the 1930s you’d see that the standard Athearn blue box riveted tank car kits were and are appropriate for the mid 1930s (the September 1962 issue of MR had an article about using the basic frame and body but backdating the cars to when they were new).
Ditto the old Varney plastic model that I think LifeLike picked up. That was a 1930s or even older type car. Amendment to posting: come to think of it the Mantua tank car was also an older prototype.
the Model Die Casting tank car, while really neat, is of a considerably older prototype that would have been rarely seen by the late 1920s except perhaps for in-plant transport, siding storage, or removed from its trucks and made into a storage tank.
Dave Nelson
I think the Proto 2000 tanks cars have build dates from the early 20th century.
If the Tichy tank car doesn’t look old enough, maybe you could backdate it by strapping the tank to an old flat car.
I love those. I pick them up whenever I get the chance. Would love to find a bulk stash of them someplace.
John
Red Caboose and Proto are based on 1921 and 1927 designs, and are VERY nice models.
How about these from Funaro & Camerlengo?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/279-6990
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/279-7030
They are in stock
If you want something larger, try this:
Walthers used to offer a pre-Proto tank car that, with a little work, made into a really nice model. I bought the one below off the “used” table at the LHS, even though it was new and unassembled in its original white/blue and yellow box. I’ve looked in vain for more.
As noted, the old Varney car, with a little detail work, can look pretty decent - this one’s among my first HO trains, from the '50s:
The Proto versions are nice too, except for those blasted plastic grabs, steps, and handrails:
Wayne