Atlas 20,700 Gal Tank Cars

[dmidkiff]

Does someone know what the difference is between the Type 10 and Type 20 saddles, or what they are?  Is one used in particular for a fuel oil, gasoline or diesel?

Thanks, Doug

[Blazeman]

FRom the UTLX Blue Book: Saddle - mounting flange wleded to the tank bottom, to which the bottom outlet valve is attached.

It isn't visible, so no need to concern yourself

[Kisatchie]

I thought the saddles were the tank support structures above the truck centers. Since Atlas says there are two saddle styles, and there are two different (saddle?) structures visible on the tank cars below, I figured the supports were saddles:

http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/n20ktanker2.htm  (See Cotton Belt and BCOL tanks for different supports)


Hmm... isn't a saddle
1) a saddle-shaped
depression in the ridge
of a hill, or
2) a ridge between two
peaks...

[peteski]

Ms. Dee has me confused.
I thought that a saddle
was the leather contraption
one sits in when riding
a horse...

[Blazeman]

That's referred to as the cradle assembly where the body bolsters attach to the  sill.

[Kisatchie]

Ms. Dee has me confused.
I thought that a saddle
was the leather contraption
one sits in when riding
a horse...

Dee likes to throw a monkey... uh, Great Ape wrench into the discussion every now and then.


Hmm... the wrench also
keeps Kiz in line. He
knows I'll conk him in
the head with it......

[dmidkiff]

Blazeman - Thanks for the info.  If it isn't visible, why would they advertise both versions?

Kisatchie - I had the same thought as you when I was studying pictures as there are two different types of what is being referred to as the cradle assembly and, as you point out, that seems to be the only difference in the pictures on Atlas' website.

Doug

[cv_acr]

The support structures are what Atlas is called saddles. Whether you want to debate whether that's technically correct or not, that's also what I've always seen described as saddles on various freight car lists, and that is the difference between the two versions of the model.

So yes, the support structure at the body bolsters is what Atlas is talking about with the Type 10 and 20 versions.

No, they do not indicate a difference in service. The one is simply a later design evolution from the first. It's an era thing.

[sirenwerks]

No, they do not indicate a difference in service. The one is simply a later design evolution from the first. It's an era thing.

So don't leave us hanging; which one to what era? Year specific please. No, make it month specific.   

[cv_acr]

Not sure of the exact years, but the Type 10 (http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/NFreightCars/n20ktanker/0711/50000783_TQ.jpg) is the earlier design, with the Type 20 (http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/NFreightCars/n20ktanker/0711/50000784_BeautyShot.jpg) probably coming out around the early 1970s. I still see lots of 1970s built GATC tank cars with the Type 20 saddles running around out there today. The Type 10s not so much, although Hawker-Siddeley also used similar saddles on tanks they built for CGTX in the 1970s.

In the early 1980s the Type 20 saddle was replaced with the newer vertical style that is now the instant spotting feature of a tank built by Trinity Industries. (Trinity took over all of GATC's car production in 1984.)

[dmidkiff]

Thanks for the info cv_acr.  Since I'm modeling the 1990's, it sounds like either will do. Time to pick some up and start weathering.

Doug

[pfs]

Chris thank you for that information!