Library - "Freight Cars - Tank Cars" Magazine Articles

Category Description: Information about model and prototype tank cars.

A Tale of Two 1:20.3 Scale Tank Cars

Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 36     Scale: Large Scale     Author: Bob Poli

An accurate model of the West Side Lumber Co. #2 tank car. Includes prototype, model, and construction photos.

ADMX 29194: Modeling a Modern Tank Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-09 pg. 82     Scale: HO     Author: Jim Providenza

Prototype and model photos accompany this article about how the author took two MDC tank car kits to create a model of this car. A parts list and brake rigging diagram are also included.

Adding Weight to Tank Cars

Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 33     Scale: (none)     Author: Paul Schmidt

How to insert sand to add invisible weight to tank cars.

An 8000-gallon Tank Car in HO Scale

Model Railroader 1987-12 pg. 118     Scale: HO     Author: John Nehrich

Model and prototype photos are part of this article on how to model a common steam-era oil hauler.

Bridgton & Saco River RR Tank Car 22

Model Railroader 1978-02 pg. 82     Scale:      Author: Tom Landrigan

Prototype photos and scale drawings accompany this article about the 2-foot-gauge tank car.

Build Two Small NATX Tank Cars Part I

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-06 pg. 74     Scale:      Author: Alan Mende

The author describes how he built set of 4,000-gallon tank cars. This first installment describes how he built a two-dome tank car. Includes detail diagrams, construction photos, and prototype photos.

Build Two Small NATX Tank Cars Part II

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-07 pg. 68     Scale: HO     Author: Alan Mende

This installment covers building a three-dome tank car. Includes prototype and scale photos, and detail drawings.

Build a 1915 Pennzoil Tank Car

Model Railroader 1985-10 pg. 74     Scale: HO     Author: Brad E. Smith

This article describes how to build a three-domed "old-timer" tank car. The tank is only just under 28 feet long, so it requires quite a bit of kitbashing to build this model. Article includes detail diagrams and one model photo; no prototype photos.

Building the TM8 (AC&F Type11) Tank Car

The Keystone Modeler 61 August 2008 pg. 16     Scale: HO     Author: Bruce F. Smith

The author describes how he built this model using a Funaro and Camerlengo model. Includes only model photos.

Corn Syrup Tank Cars Part 6

Model Railroading 2005-02 pg. 32     Scale: (none)     Author: Tim Frederick

The Trinity 17,600 gallon, 100-ton corn syrup design.

Detailing a Walthers Tank Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 1996-04 pg. 54     Scale: HO     Author: Richard Flock

The author describes how he changed the Walthers kit to make a Union Tank Car Co. model.

Detailing an Intermountain Tank Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 86     Scale: O     Author: Gene Deimling

The author describes what he did to superdetail this car and setting it up to the Proto:48 standard. Includes model photos and a parts list.

Double-tank Vinegar Car

Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-10 pg. 90     Scale: HO     Author: David J. Leider

Scale drawings, many prototype and model construction photos accompany this article about how to model a vinegar transport car. Since vinegar is corrosive, it is transported in wooden tanks.

Great Northern 19,000 Gallon Fuel Service Tank Cars

N Scale Railroading 2002-09/10 pg. 44     Scale: N     Author: Brian Morgan

Model and prototype photos. How to add details.

Kitbashing Tank Car 22

Model Railroader 1978-02 pg. 62     Scale: On2     Author: Tom Landrigan

The author scratchbuilts a flat car, which is then converted to a tank car using two AHM HO-scale tank cars. Includes a materials list and model construction photos.

Kitbashing Three MDC Tank Cars

Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-11 pg. 68     Scale: HO     Author: Jim Slaughter

The author describes how he built a chlorine, acid, and general service tank cars. Includes model and prototype photos.

Modeling Less-common Tank Cars

Railroad Model Craftsman 2012-01 pg. 61     Scale: HO     Author: Tony Tompson

Kitbashing and scratchbuilding were needed to build a unique tank car. Details construction photos accompany the article, as well as a parts list.

Modern General-service Tank Cars

Model Railroader 1990-02 pg. 104     Scale: (none)     Author: Harry Hilliard

Prototype photos, scale drawings, and detailed information about modern tank cars.

Restoring a Vintage Tank Car

O Scale Trains Magazine 23 November 2005 pg. 64     Scale: O     Author: Tom Houle

The author describes how he restored this old tank car.

Tank Car Qualification Stencils

Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-09 pg. 83     Scale: (none)     Author: Stuart Streit

New safety tests and lettering for tank cars. Prototype photos.