UP 'Water Bottle' Tender/Car

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am working on a consist for my grandson’s UP Challenger. In most of the videos we have featuring the Challenger or 844 there is a car after the loco and tender that looks like a converted tender. It is usually referred to as a ‘water bottle’.

Does anyone make this car, or something very similar, that I can use in my consist? I really hate to buy and then carve up a tender or two if I don’t have to.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, guys, in advance.

2

They are old tenders saved from other locomotives that were scrapped. Depending on the brand of locomotive, you may be able to purchase a spare tender from the manufacturer. Bachmann and Bowser sell tenders separately.

3

the tenders that UP uses for the steam engines, are from their 8500 hp gas turbines, and have only been manuf. in brass.

these tenders were just rebuilt last year

4

This is not exact, but it is plastic, available, and affordable…

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?sel_category=89&sortOrder=name

5

I’m looking on my Lionel Turbine tender - the Bachmann has similarities, but the turbine tender is almost round - maybe a kitbash with the Bachmann an Athern BB tank car kit![2c][8D]

6

the tender from the veranda turbines was much larger than the tenders on the three unit ones.

the new rebuilt version would not be too hard to scatchbuild on a standard tender frame, they are not as busy with all the railings and complex curves.

7

Thanks guys for the information and ideas. You have been a big help.

There is a big train show coming up so I’ll look for a suitable tender there. Failing that, I think I am going with the Bachmann undecorated tender as a starting point. It is available at Trainworld for $19.99.

Thanks for the pictures. They were/are very helpful. You wouldn’t have a picture of the UP generator car that they use for excursions, anyone. I think it is a converted baggage car.

If my LHS comes through for me I’ll have a start on the consist. Walther’s had some of their UP coaches on sale for $16.98 the other day.

Again, thanks for the help. Once I get a start on the water bottle, I’ll post pictures.