In some threads onn here it was mentioned about tankcars having shells over their tanks. I was looking around on http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gatx/gatx.html and found some photographs of GATX 300780 with part of its shell and insulation removed, exposing the tank (the car is marked to be scrapped). I thought some people might find it interesting to see what that looks like.
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gatx/gatx300780acc.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gatx/gatx300780bcc.jpg
I used to drive or bike past the Union Tank Car plant in East Chicago, and saw plaenty of “naked” tank cars. Lots of heater coils on the lower portions of the tank, and various bolts, etc, to indicate just how thick the insulation was going to be. I’m sure that can still be done, but it may not be as informative now–they solidified their fence, and most of the new (ethanol) tanks aren’t insulated.