Hey Joe how about a UTLX 56' runner pack?

[Mark5]

OK, so for a little more information...

I found this article by Dave Casdorph:
http://www.trainlife.com/magazines/pages/628/43831/march-2002-page-17

It pretty well sums everything up. Non-insulated 30,000 gallon tank car, (T108) first built in 1974.

The 1974 date in the article is not an authoritative date for when this proto 1st appeared - Dave is simply reiterating the "blurb" build date for the car from the usual MTL description in the jewel case.

Here's a T108 built 12/71: http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=69354 (this car looks longer though).

[Denver Road Doug]

OK, edited it out.  I think at some point you can make this car as generic as you want, but specifically referencing an ACFX car in that article so I would think that holds up.  But anyway...."70's" is good enough for me.

Also, just noticed you had posted that article sometime after the last time I viewed this post.  Sorry for the dupe.

[Mark5]

No worries Doug, I'm just trying to figure this out too. Apparently the MTL car has some inconsistencies in representing a car built in 1974 (if you read Dave's review - nothing MAJOR though).

Anyway, apparently, the 100 ton T108 dates all the way back to 1965:

http://eaneubauer.ipower.com/otherstuff/green.pdf

I admit that I'm a bit ignorant about the AAR Tank classes, and I wonder if T108 covers a number of different car lengths (obviously it includes the MTL car ).

(I need tank cars for 1975 too!)

Mark

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Bryan: No these UTLX cars were never done by Atlas (None of their cars are correct, though the 25K is close) and Athearn has done UTLX, but only modern ethanol tanks in post 2005 schemes.

Doug, I took photos of rail cars from 2003-2008 in my area as part of my Boston Line research project. I knew that there were massive changes coming to the area (removal of auto racks, closing of several chemical and corn syrup plans and the relocation of Beacon Park traffic to Worcester). One of the things I focused on was pre-spreadsheet tanks as these were correct for my timeframe (1998). I always liked the UTLX cars... the yellow is striking and simple and the ends have that curve to it. I actually wouldn't mind any of their T108s in a runner pack. I just want to see them done.

Joe, I'll send the UTLX cars tonight. Expect a photo dump with other pre-qual schemes. I would get an 8 pack in an instant but not sure how that would sell as these are not usually in unit train service. Maybe two 4 car sets? These along with your center-beam and bulkhead flats are my favorite MTL cars.

[Denver Road Doug]

Daniel, I'm totally in for some UTLX cars too!  I was just curious about your photos....we're about in the same timeframe I'm just a couple of years forward from you.  Y2K give or take.

I would buy a 4 or 8 pack....I would actually like to see maybe a 4-pack and then another 4-pack weathered but no garish graffiti.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Just perusing the rrpicturearchive website. Boy if these aren't a spitting image of the MTL car:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=120460
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=753614
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=456256

[Denver Road Doug]

Yes please! 

[Mark5]

Thanks for posting this Daniel.

There's a nice article on the T108 by Dave Casdorph) in the same issue of Model Railroading linked (Trainlife) above (March 2002, pgs 42-45), but Trainlife didn't scan that far into the magazine.

[amato1969]

@Joe,

Ed Kaminski's ACF book has a boat-load of pics too.  I have a '74 ORER and am willing to verify road numbers, etc.

  Frank

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Joe, did you get my emails?

[JoeD]

Yes I did...thank you.  I was busy with some new projects I had to finish reports on.  I noted a project we had in the works as well.


Joe

[Mark5]

As a result of this thread, I picked up one of these in ACFX (87281).
It represents a tank built in1974, still rolling today: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsList.aspx?id=ACFX&rid=87200

Very nice model.

These need 100 ton trucks, right? I'll try the BLMA 100 ton trucks. Gotta take a look to see how difficult body mounts will be (lucky for me, not a whole lot of these in 1975).

Here's a similar car I found built in 1968:

http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=utlx78392&o=utlx

Built 1970:

http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=raix6076&o=ccbx

[Mark5]

Some pix:

Out of the box:


With BLMA 100 ton trucks (these lower the car a bit):


It's all set up for body mount:


Here's a problem for using this in 1975 (built 1974):


Gotta get MTL to release this in an early 1970s paint scheme (still looking for good 1970s photos!).

[Denver Road Doug]

Thanks for posting the pics.  It is just amazing the difference the BLMA trucks make. (100T, Lower ride)   It's this attention to detail that unfortunately Micro-Trains just doesn't subscribe to.   They get oh-so-close and then BAM, ball on the ground.  I get it, business decision, philosophy, etc etc.    It's just a shame.   It will be interesting to see how the bodymount conversion goes....that's really the trick to it.   Even RTR-Railroaders like me can put BLMA trucks on a car.   

[nkalanaga]

If you want to lower the MT tank further AND body mount the couplers, you might get some ideas from my post here:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33879.msg391290#msg391290

For the MT car, it's easier to use "standard height" trucks if you want to lower it all the way.  Mine has Intermountain 100-ton trucks, which seem to be unavailable, but the Atlas trucks will work just as well.  Put Atlas metal wheels in them and they look good enough for me.