Model Railroading > Wanted - HO and N scale modern 1267 oil tank cars

Well it's bound to happen, one or more model manufacturers will eventually release modern tank cars that have been built purposely for the oil industry. So as many of you know, many of the tank cars used in Ethanol service were pressed into oil service. As demand increased, new tank cars have been manufactured over the last few years with head shields.(and many without as these have thicker steel built in on the ends) These cars are not represented yet in HO or N and with these trains traveling all over the US and Canada, we need them and we need them big. The model manufacturer that can get these cars to market quickest is gonna make a ton of money. We need unit trains and there are so many flavors of these cars and markings, the runs could be endless. I am aware of 3 manufacturers of tank cars for the oil business. ( I am sure there are more)

http://www.utlx.com/index.asp
https://www.gbrx.com/Tank_Cars.php
https://www.trinityrail.com/index.aspx

and with BNSF ordering the next gen oil tank cars (5000!) it will only get better.

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/mechanical/freight-cars/bnsf-taking-bids-on-5000-oil-tank-cars.html?channel=59

Obviously Athearn and Walthers comes to mind but I can see Exactrail and BLMA doing these. Heck with atleast 3 builders and a new heavier duty model coming for those BNSF cars, there is plenty of room for all the manufacturers to get into the game. So who will be first? These could be the best selling cars for the next decade! Folks need unit trains of these. We got oil to move, whose gonna take our money? LOL

Bruce

PS - and lets not forget all those buffers cars! We need an updated 2 bay airlside to go with those oil trains. (hint)

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Thanks Bruce

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Let's not forget those FMC covered hoppers as buffers. Athearn could release some in HO labeled for buffer service.

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Yes, these would be a nice addition to both scales. Unit trains help manufacturers so I'm sure someone is working on them. I'm hoping it's BLMA so Craig and the team can make some bucks.
My sons have been asking for the VMSX tanks they've seen on our railfanning outings around Dunsmuir.

Ryan Wilkerson
Fair Oaks, CA

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Bruce,

Just for clarification...those aren't heat shields on the end...it's up-armoring the ends of the car to prevent puncture in a derailment.

Eric

Why the buffers at the rear? Is that just having things ready for when DPUs are attached?

KA7008 Wrote:
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> Why the buffers at the rear? Is that just having
> things ready for when DPUs are attached?

yes

Mr. MRL

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sd39u Wrote:
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> Bruce,
>
> Just for clarification...those aren't heat shields
> on the end...it's up-armoring the ends of the car
> to prevent puncture in a derailment.
>
> Eric

Eric, I think you probably mis-read his post, or read it too quickly. Bruce said "head" shields, which sounds like the correct term to me for doing just what you described. If your are referring to another post, my apologies.

Enjoy the hobby.

Greg

Gang, the cars coming into Yorktown, VA with the tank shields have a 10,000 lb. weight increase from those with out. Have lots of airslides in the inventory, both built and still have some of the Walthers kits. Need to find some "BUFFER" lettering!

Wayne

Moon Dog Rails makes 2 types of the Buffer decals:
http://www.moondograilcars.com/category_s/76.htm

The airslides look to be like the ones Walthers make.

Shannon Crabtree
Fredericksburg, VA
Virginia Midland Railroad Blog

And this is probably a silly question, but do the buffer cars have to be a certain type such as an Airslide?

Btuce
(the other one!)

Nope. Airslides are all from the BNSF I have seen. UP has been using 4650 covered hoppers and so has CP which have been ex SOO. BNSF also uses FMC covered hoppers and NS uses mostly ex Southern 4750 covered hoppers. I am sure there are much more but these are what I see.

Bruce

BCutter Wrote:
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> And this is probably a silly question, but do the
> buffer cars have to be a certain type such as an
> Airslide?
>
> Btuce
> (the other one!)

Thanks Eric but I did refer to them as Head shields. Although I like the heat shield concept as I am a big trekkie too. LOL

Bruce

sd39u Wrote:
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> Bruce,
>
> Just for clarification...those aren't heat shields
> on the end...it's up-armoring the ends of the car
> to prevent puncture in a derailment.
>
> Eric

This may sound ignorant but are the Buffer Cars empty or loaded (and with what?) I still "haul" sugar with my Airslides. Yes, I still have cabooses on my trains--not "switching platforms."

railwaybaron Wrote:
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> This may sound ignorant but are the Buffer Cars
> empty or loaded (and with what?) I still "haul"
> sugar with my Airslides. Yes, I still have
> cabooses on my trains--not "switching platforms."

No they are all loaded buffer cars and as far as I know its sand.

Sand is the predominate filler but some have concrete as discovered here in Philly last year. An oil train derailed here in Philly and the buffer car rolled. Hulcher went to move it into position do they could drain the sand as the car needed to be cut up onsite. When they cut it open, the car had concrete and it had to be jack hammered out first.

Bruce

Afbombers Wrote:
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> railwaybaron Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This may sound ignorant but are the Buffer Cars
> > empty or loaded (and with what?) I still "haul"
> > sugar with my Airslides. Yes, I still have
> > cabooses on my trains--not "switching
> platforms."
>
> No they are all loaded buffer cars and as far as I
> know its sand.