Arnold Tank Car - Retro Upgrade

[Iain]

I just put in a bid for a cheap IMRC tank car on ebay, gonna steal the frame.  Now just to find an Arnold tank to go on it.

[peteski]

EBay seems like a good place to also find an old Arnold tank car.

[Iain]

EBay seems like a good place to also find an old Arnold tank car.

Not a one could I find.

[peteski]

Not a one could I find.

Patience grasshopper, patience . . .
Set up an automatic search - I have several of those notifying me if something I'm looking for shows up on eBay.  I waited years for some items, but I finally got them. 

[strummer]

...this is a great thread.

You're taking a very logical and thoughtful approach to this project, and am looking forward to see what the final outcome is.

Thanks for posting this.

Mark in Oregon

[SAH]

Thanks Mark.  My wife would be confounded to hear that someone would use "logical" and "thoughtful" in the same sentence when describing my actions, particularly with respect to the hobby.   

Actually she's incredibly supportive regarding my hobby activities.

The Tichy decals arrived today but I have an even earlier start than normal tomorrow morning, so I'll put off application for now.

[Cajonpassfan]

It's nice to have a supportive wife, you're a lucky man (as I am).
I'm loving the difference the rivets make, especially along that ugly top seam.
This is turning out to be a great project, thanks!
Otto K.

[VonRyan]

I just put in a bid for a cheap IMRC tank car on ebay, gonna steal the frame.  Now just to find an Arnold tank to go on it.

I know a guy with plenty of Arnold tank cars for sale. Any particular paint scheme you're looking for?

[Iain]

I know a guy with plenty of Arnold tank cars for sale. Any particular paint scheme you're looking for?

Nope!

[SAH]

Well, here it is, warts and all.  The incandescent floods draw out all the reds & browns.  The model itself is blacker.  I'll repost a photo taken on the layout when I return to GSO.  The daylights render color better IMO.

Overall I'm pleased with the result.  And now I've answered the question that popped into my brain every time I looked at these shells:  I wonder if I can make these old guys into decent looking tank cars?

Thanks for your encouragement through the process.

Steve

[OldEastRR]

On the prototype photo of the Shell car, is the frame actually inside the wheels?

[Kentuckian]

Steve, that’s a beautiful car. I recently picked up a couple of these on eBay. Does anyone make a frame like the one shown in this photo? When I first saw this, I thought the car was derailed.
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[SAH]

I've not seen a frame like that in N scale but it would be easy enough to cut away the side of an IM frame and scratch the ladder supports.  Should get you pretty close.  I may give that a try.  Thanks for posting the photo.

[SAH]

Here is a comparison of the Arnold and IM tank cars.  Nice variety.  In the AC&Y book from Morning Sun there is a photo looking down the ABB interchange track toward Goodyear with three tanks cars awaiting pick-up (or delivery).  All different sizes.  Tank cars are so interesting.  Taking a closer look at the photo Kentuckian posted it appears the walkway at the side of the tank between the bolsters was cut away and replaced with the safety bar, or whatever the name of the bar that keeps one from getting into the path of the bolster frame is called.  A required modification to keep this old guy working perhaps?  The other cars look to place the photo in the no roof access era.

[Cajonpassfan]

Nicely done,
Otto