Does anyone know if the early MTH Rail King single dome tank cars are scale dimensioned? Product #MT-7301. They look close to a 8000 gallon car. They look good in a steam era train.
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Tank cars are a crap-shoot because there were so many different shapes and sizes. Without specific prototype dimensions and data, it's hard to tell if your particular model is accurately sized/painted. Then there are the cars that get modified after they leave the factory.
There's an old tank car down in Wilmington, CA that they're using as a storage tank -- still on its wheels -- that looks to be barely 30 feet long based on the space between the trucks. I have no clue about the capacity or prototype info. I can't get onto the facility and it can only be seen from the freeway.
As with all other rolling stock, the earlier tank cars were smaller, had catwalks along the sides and even roofs, etc. Knowing this, the bottom line is that in this case you're probably fine using them. Look for stuff that wouldn't be in the steam era, like 100-ton roller bearing trucks, post-steam comapnies/decorations, etc.
Wish I could be of more help.
Most Likely. Those type of tanks were of UTRX design back in the mid thirtys. I think MTH's design is a 10,000 gal vesrion.
Thank's for the information. Before I sell these off I think I better do home work. I can add some stirrups. The paint job is generic, but I like it.
Seems to be a good mounting spot for Kadee's, changing the truck's to Weavers should set the height.
clem,
Check this place out:
http://www.steamerafreightcars...llery/tanksmain.html
Tank cars are my favorite type of rolling stock, mainly the steam era though and especially the 8,000 gallon cars.
Also, Google tank cars and click on images, you'll see a bunch.
Thanks Bob some of those pictures look just like the rail king I have
This topic of singel dome tank cars reminds me of my favorite laundry shop misspelling the "New Tribble Load Machines". The sign always made me wonder if Tribbles were like Gremlins and getting them wet would kill them. Maybe a Tribble load machine was how Kirk and Scotty cleared the Enterprise after thier troubles with them.
I took this photo of an old tank car at the Owosso Train Festival because it is the size I remember seeing a lot back in the 40s and 50s. I wish I knew the actual dimensions because I would like a fleet of this size for my layout. To my eye a lot of what is out there appear that the tank is too skinny.
Thank you
But all I see is a question mark
Might try for a copy of the Train Shed Cyclopedia on tank cars. They came in all shapes and sizes. Skinny, short, fat, long, and anycombination. Walkways up, down, in the middle. One, two, three, four, and six domes. Rivets or welded. Small domes, smaller domes, and giant domes. Let your imagination run wild, and you will no doubt find a prototype. Some even looked like box cars, and quite a number of those were purple, with passenger trucks.
