Tangent Scale Models is proud to introduce the next production of HO scale General American 10,000 Gallon 1917-Design Radial Course Tank Cars.

This 2022 release includes these 8 schemes.

UOCX “Union Oil of California” 1937+ represents a model from one of the more prolific buyers of GATC-built tank cars, Union Oil of California. They had a large fleet of tank cars, many of which were adorned with large “Union Oil Company” and “Los Angeles” stenciling. These specific prototype models show a build date of 1920 and paint dates of 1937. The underframe has lots of stenciling as well, including “Built 10-20 by General American Tank Car Corporation Warren Ohio Shops.”  Cool stuff! Also, these cars were roamers! Several Union Oil of California tank car photos have been taken in Alaska on the Alaska Railroad! The UOCX ” Union Oil of California” replicas come assembled with era-correct K-brakes

 

 

By the end of World War I, U.S. production of oil and oil-related products was sharply increasing thanks to the combination of war-related demands as well as demands from home. In order to move oil and new consumer products, tank car producers introduced new car designs. In 1917 General American Tank Car introduced a new general service 10,000 gallon non-insulated tank car. Built in East Chicago, IN, these cars were easily identifiable by their circumferential rivets that surrounded the tank body, with notably different heights between the courses. These “radial course” tank cars utilized steel bolster plates that rise up vertically to hold the tank in place, complete with a “web” section behind to minimize steel consumption.

At a time of fairly monochromatic box cars plying the rails, most consumable products and oil shippers proudly displayed their company markings on the tanks. This car design was no exception, with Sinclair being a dominant purchaser of tank cars of this type. Additionally, many smaller oil shippers had fleets of these cars during the oil boom years. Finally, as many oil businesses failed, the cars ended up back with GATC and were restenciled with new owner markings and were placed back into service for a new owner. Between Union Oil of California, Imperial Oil, and other schemes, think of this as one of the first “crude oil” tank cars of consequence. Forget boring present day tanks. These cars were the most prolific tank cars built during the first tank car building boom, and were found everywhere from 1917 to 1970.

 

The GATC 1917-Design 10,000 Gallon Tank Car is one of three all-new 1917-Design radial course tank car designs released by Tangent Scale Models. The GATC 1917-Design series of three different tank cars are the first plastic radial course tanks offered in HO plastic! (Radial course means the tank’s steel panels overlap each other, looking like “stairsteps”). Here is a prototype photo showing the radial steel panel courses and the overlapping of the panels.

 

The Tangent Scale Models GATC 1917-Design 10,000 Gallon Insulated Tank Car is a highly-detailed tank car model that includes details accurate for each paint scheme, including KC- or AB-brake variations, with or without Cardwell draft sill springs, and different hand brakes. Other visually-distinctive details for the models include the “see through” bolster section, circumferential rivets, and differing course heights. The RTR models include correct “true-to-life” colors and “hyper-accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement. Finally, the scale replicas operate as well as they look, equipped with free-rolling all-metal wheels and Kadee scale couplers, meaning the models are truly ready to run.

The Tangent Scale Models GATC 1917-Design 10,000 Gallon General Service Tank Car is a highly-detailed tank car model that includes details accurate for each paint scheme, including KC- or AB-brake variations, different dome heights, with or without Cardwell draft sill springs, and different hand brakes.

 

Here is a closeup of the AB-brake system on the 1917 model, which is found on the Sinclair and Allied Chemical tank cars.

 

Features for these awesome replicas include:

– Circumferential riveted tank body and riveted underframe (count ‘em, there are many!)

– Radial course tank body – note the “stairstep” appearance!

– All-new underframe for the GATC 1917-design

– “See-through” cast knee above the bolsters

– Accurate dome appliances

– Dimensionally-correct hazardous placards with accurate hole detail

– Separately applied tank handrail

– Separately applied tank strap detail

– KC- or AB- brake variations depending on the prototype car

– Inclusion of Cardwell draft sill springs depending on the prototype car, otherwise “oval” frame openings where the springs were removed

– Different hand brake appliance options depending on the prototype car

– Highly correct “true to life” colors

– “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement, including lettering applied to the underframe and air reservoir

– Durable wire grab irons and coupler lift bars

– Separate air hoses

– “Near-scale” draft gear box with side detail

– Kadee “scale-head” couplers

– CNC-machined 33” wheels in high-quality Tangent Scale Models ASF cast steel truck with spring plank and with separate brake beams

– Replacement semi-scale wheels available separately from Tangent

– Multiple road numbers for each scheme – these cars often traveled in “groups” of more than one

– Recommended age 14 years and older

 

 

Order Due Date: December 31, 2022

Anticipated Delivery Date: January 2023

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Tank Cars? Click here!

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