New ATSF tank cars (maybe) coming to N Scale!

[Cajonpassfan]

Shown below is an announcement from a fellow in Holland of all places that I copied from the Yahoo ATSF group today. This is potentially wonderful news for us ATSF modelers. Santa Fe had literally thousands of these unique cars, but they have never been produced. Years ago Pecos River announced them in brass in N, but only produced them in HO.
These cars had unusual pinched frames and high mounted walkways and are arguably one of the essential ATSF car types. They also had an incredible lifespan, from the 20' to some surviving into the 80's in company service, making them useful for multiple eras. I sure hope this is real...

Otto K. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[thomasjmdavis]

Thanks for posting this, Otto.  I'm on the ATSF list, but missed it entirely in the pile of email the last couple days.  Will be great if he can make this happen.

Tom D

[dnhouston]

Thanks for posting Otto.  I look forward to this car being available in N.  I hope he completes it.

[up1950s]

Did any of these types make in off ATSF rails in revenue service during the 50's ? Did the UP buy any from the SF for their own captive service ?

[draskouasshat]

Like Otto, I'm excited! These are a welcome car to my fleet!

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, it seems that in my excitement I overstated the number of cars in these classes
Checking my SFRH&M Society tank car book (Hendrickson/Pelouze 2004) there were "only" 1848 of them, as follows:
Tk-G, 550; Tk-H, 498; Tk-I, 200; and Tk-J, 600 cars.

Richie, I don't think these would have ventured onto UP rails, certainly not during the steam era; they were needed at home in company service to deliver engine and domestic water as well as diesel fuel, sometimes in solid trains, for those newfangled FT's and early streamliners across the arid southwest.

Still, a great model to have!
Otto K.

[sd45elect2000]

My question is who built these cars? Was this a car type that could have been operated in lease fleets like UTLX ?  I am ALWAYS looking for a variety in car types and I don't think that my fleet of AC&F type 27 cars is representative of the US tank car fleet .

Randy

[Cajonpassfan]

Randy, these were built by Pressed Steel Car Co., AC&F, and Western Steel Car Co. at various times, starting in 1906 through 1915, obviously older than your Type 27's. They were a bit overdesigned with fishbelly underframes and wasp-waist sidesills, and lasted way longer than other early cars of that era. As I noted earlier, they were used mostly in company service.
Otto K.

[superchief]

I could use a few of these, hope they get produced. Gordon

[JoeD]

is there an active link for this?  I keep getting a different site.  Thanks

Joe

[Cajonpassfan]

Joe, there is no active link yet; see Dirk's original post excerpt below.
We'll see in couple of months... [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Otto K.

[JoeD]

hope he goes through with this, save me some scratch building.  I've been working on drawings for laser cut parts to make this in HO Scale.  Wasn't rich or lucky enough to get the brass offerings.  I inherited a boxes of cars and parts and pieces from Richard Hendrickson when he passed.  Going through them I saw 4 boxes labeled for the brass models and thought I had hit the lottery...they were empty lol.  Seems the big guns he knew got the frosting.     Still, this car is distinctive enough to stand out in a crowd of tank cars.

Joe

[Cajonpassfan]

Dirk posted some pics on the ATSf site and gave me permission to repost here. Looks like he's making good progress. Hopefully well have better pics next time.
Otto K.

[JoeD]

Thanks for posting those!   

Joe

[jmlaboda]

Wonder if he would consider selling the underframes separately?  Might be interesting to use on some other tank cars.