Tangent Scale Models is proud to introduce our next production of General American 8,000 Gallon 1917-Design Radial Course Tank Cars.
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 produced a new general service 8,000 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. The GATC 1917-design prototypes were the most prolific tank cars built during this period and were found everywhere from 1917 to roughly 1970, including across the border in Canada.
The Tangent Scale Models GATC 1917-Design 8,000 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, with or without Cardwell draft sill springs, and different hand brakes. Other visually-distinctive details for our models include the “see through” bolster section, circumferential rivets, and differing course heights. Our RTR models include correct “true-to-life” colors and “hyper-accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement. Finally, our scale replicas operate as well as they look, equipped with free-rolling all-metal wheels and Kadee® scale couplers, meaning our models are truly ready to run.
Whether wearing “plain” GATX black lease colors or the colors of a lessee, these replicas will certainly be eye-catchers on your layout! Check out the radial courses – they look like nothing else in HO! Our new ready to operate replicas are in stock and available for sale at www.tangentscalemodels.com. That’s right, no preorders!
Our October 2020 release includes the following five paint schemes:
– CGTX “1955+ Lease” is our offering for the Canadian modelers out there who have been requesting “Canadian” tank cars! We have listened. CGTX are the reporting marks for Canadian General Transit Company, who was the largest operator of private tank cars in Canada. This model is offered in the “plain leaser” CGTX scheme from 1955 and was stenciled from actual photos (see our website). These CGTX cars were nationwide roamers for decades of service. Our Canadian General Transit Company 1955+ cars come with era-correct AB-brakes and are available in six road numbers. Because each real tank car was formed by hand and had individual gallon notations stenciled on each end of the car, all six of our models have the correct gallons stenciled on each end – including both imperial gallons and US gallons in typical CGTX style. Yup, we did the research so you don’t have to! While these models will not be as popular as coffee from Tim Horton’s, don’t miss out, eh?
– GATX “1936+ Lease” is available for US and Canadian modelers that are looking to bolster their fleet of “plain black” tank cars. This offering is a 1936+ “plain” offering that has nationwide usage implications and will be welcome on any layout. Because each real tank car was formed by hand and had individual gallon notations stenciled on each end of the car, all six of our models have the correct gallons stenciled on each end. These models come with an era-correct K brake system, and are available in six road numbers, plus a bonus seventh number: see our next entry.
– GATX “Wadhams Oil East Chicago IN 1936+” is available in this run and is based upon the photo we have posted on our website. It is a “plain black” car similar to the “1936+ lease” cars described above, but with small lessee stenciling for Wadhams Oil, located in East Chicago, IN. This model comes with an era-correct K brake system, and is available in one road number.
– TROX “Marathon 1926+” is especially of interest to fans of UTLX “plain black” tank cars. Why? Read on. This car is stenciled “Transcontinental Oil Company – Marathon Products – Products Tank Line in a bright red, black, and white scheme, complete with the Marathon Products logo: “Best in the long run!” This is the epitome of a “billboard” tank car typical of the 1920s period. Products Tank Line was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Union Tank Line (aka UTLX) in 1926, so it is likely these models can find a home with the UTLX cars on your layout. This model comes with an era-correct K brake system, and is available in three road numbers.
– Spokane, Portland, and Seattle “Water Service 1964+” is available now as our “MOW” offering for Spokane, Portland, and Seattle (SP&S) and Burlington Northern (BN) modelers alike. The arid grasslands surrounding the SP&S mainline in Washington state called for a fleet of tank cars to provide water for extinguishing fires that might occur along the right of way. Each was painted slightly differently, and each tank in the fleet was sourced individually, however this car is a ringer for the Tangent Scale Models 1917-design cars, so here it is, available now in one road number. These cars lasted into the BN years. Don’t miss our first SP&S offering!
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
Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models General American 8,000 gallon 1917-design radial course tank car! Just like its prototype, this car will stand out on any layout situated from 1917 to 1970, and they went everywhere!
Pricing for RTR models is $44.95. High-resolution images showing these fine replicas are available at www.tangentscalemodels.com and our site also includes prototype images for your reference as well.
That wraps up our update for today, and thank you for supporting the family-owned businesses in our industry!
David Lehlbach, Founder
Tangent Scale Models – “Unparalleled scale replicas for discriminating railroad modelers”
www.tangentscalemodels.com
support@tangentscalemodels.com
PO Box 6514
Asheville NC 28816
828-279-6106