SHPX Tank Car

The Prototype

This is a Shippers Car Line 10,000 gallon, single-dome tank car. The "X" in the road name's "SHPX" stands for private company-owned car, rather than a railroad-owned car. The Shippers Car Line company owned the car and leased it to another company for use. During the lease, the other company's name and information would be stenciled on the car. The prototype photo below is the best I could find. There were lots of these cars out there, but probably few people bothered to photograph them.

(source: Tomlin Ordnance Depot)

The Model

The model shown below of SHPX 10780 is by S Scale America (Des Plaines Hobbies) part number SSA14013 (no longer listed on their web site), which I bought second-hand. I have not been able to verify the accuracy of this model. It measures 39 feet over the couplers. It is identified as having been built in June 1930. There is a tiny decal on the right-hand side that states "LEASED TO SUN OIL CO." (see Photo Gallery, below, for a close-up of the decals).


(original car with HO-scale couplers installed)

Articles

References