Arnold Tank Car - Retro Upgrade

[SAH]

With the retro N topics popping up on the Railwire recently I got to thinking about the old Arnold tank car and how I had planned to someday see if I could give it a make over.  With a more complicated tank car project on the horizon, someday has arrived.  Kind of a warm up act to brush up my tank car chops.

Here's the subject.  The tank is like nothing else in the current N catalog so if nothing else it will add some variety to the tank car fleet.  The frame is pure early N scale though.



I was surprised to find the model came apart easily.  No adhesives.  Every part, including the weight, is keyed.  Nice design.  Some of the end caps were out of round so I selected the best parts to make two complete models.



I had four IM 8k gal kits in my stock and was pleased to find the Arnold tank fit onto the IM frame perfectly.  I shaved the hand grabs and handrail brackets off and fiddled with the dome top and end caps to get a good tight fit when they were re-installed.  Here are the two subjects ready for the second detailing phase.  I'm using many of the IM parts and making some from brass wire when necessary.  So far so good.  With a little luck I'll be ready for decals by the end of the week.

[Cajonpassfan]

I have several of these as well, interesting. So what prototypes are you shooting for?
Otto

[johnb]

Watching with antici.......pation

[OldEastRR]

What is the prototype for the Arnold cars?

[SAH]

I have no idea if there even IS a prototype for the Arnold model.   A HO model by Athearn maybe?     Back in the early days they didn't worry about no stinkin' prototype.  A suggestion of a tank car was good enough.  That said, with some digging you could probably come up with something close.  The proportions look good, which is what drew me to the model in the first place.

[Cajonpassfan]

The closest thing I found to the old Rapido car is an ACF Type 27, as far as the banding and longitudinal courses go. Double rivets on the ends, two bands close to the dome, two single bands over the bolsters. Of course when I measure the size of the Rapido tank, I get close to 12K gallons, whereas the proto car has 10K capacity. Still, with a nice underframe (and paint job) it should make for a nice contrast with the M/T and Intermountain cars...?
Otto K.

[SAH]

Otto is peeking into my play book.  Here's an in-progress detail shot.  The second band at each end was necessary because the existing band did not center on the bolsters.  The IM ladders are way too short, confirming that this is a large car.  Ladders are next.  Then the handrail around the tank.  A brakewheel  and stand and we're ready for the paint shop.  And yes, I believe it will add some spice to my tank car fleet.

[Cajonpassfan]

I like it!
Otto

[nscalbitz]

I have no idea if there even IS a prototype for the Arnold model.   A HO model by Athearn maybe?  ...

I haven't found a statement either.
However, keep in mind the late guru of STMEFC Richard Hendrickson was consultant and mentor to LL a decade ago and their HO line is accurate, down to the paint schemes offered. (Now Life-Like Proto 2000/Walthers  AC&F 10k Type 21 tank cars).

Using those as a reference point may help  ?

This refers to those and earlier made (pre-2005)
"Are the P2K and Intermountain type 27 8k and 10k gal tank cars models of the same prototype cars?
 If so, which one is more accurate? TIA.

No, the P2K models represent AC&F Type 21s built in the 1920s, while the IM models represent AC&F Type 27s built from 1927 through WW II. Both are essentially accurate, though the Life-Like underframe is better detailed than the IM underframe. Also, all of L-L's paint ant lettering schemes are accurate, based on photographic evidence, while some IM P/L schemes are
questionable.
Richard H. Hendrickson"

regards davew

[nscalbitz]

According to Tony Thompson, you need to remove most if the garbage on the lid that looks like:

http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2010/12/upgrading-old-models-3.html

Might try that as I also have half-bashed tanks.
regards davew

[SAH]

I think Mr. Thompson provides as good a prototype as any:  Varney.

I'll not be replacing the expansion dome fittings.  At one time I'd have given it a try but getting as close as I can to the prototype is no longer a priority.  Neat workmanship, yes.  This is N scale after all.   

One thing I've discovered studying proto photos for the next tank project is the bracket supporting the handrail on UTLX cars is attached to the tank below the handrail.  For GATX cars it is attached above he handrail.  I have only a half dozen samples of each type, which is certainly not statistically significant, but the difference is consistent.  I guess my Arnold tanks are UTLX cars.

Steve

[Iain]

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The Arnold tank looks kind of like these DODX tank cars that Beaufort and Morehead hauled ....

[SAH]

Nice photo Iain.  Yes, they are pretty darn close.

We're ready for the paint shop.  The most difficult part of the project turned out to be the ladders.  I used MicroTrains tank car ladders, cut to size.  The slippery plastic and the makeshift mounting stops made securing the pieces into place difficult at best.  If I were to do it over I would remove the cast on foot boards and use the MT parts whole.  But that's what this project was about:  Brushing up on tank car modeling techniques.

Tichey has a 10,000 gal UTLX tank car decal set.  They have other sets I'd like so it's time to put an order together.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Figures... Tichy was at Timonium. You could've picked em up in person!

I really dig this.

[SAH]

I placed an order for a wide variety of 16 or so sets Sunday afternoon.  Received a "shipped" notice today.  I also brushed up the artwork for the MUBX covered hopper and sent it to Modelers Decal & Paint for evaluation yesterday.  Got a green light today.  I'm looking forward to the goodies arriving.

I also painted the tank cars yesterday.  I think they're going to look pretty cool.  Definitely different from the usual N scale offerings.  Now I'm starting to look at some other retro tank projects.  There have been a lot of different styles produced over the years.  Should be fun.