Model Railroading > Sulfuric Acid Tanks circa 1975 and on?

Hi y'all, hope the holidays were good to everybody out there.

A question presents itself to this modeler, and information escapes me for some reason. If one were modeling a large copper refining outfit, seems like sulfuric acid will be a byproduct of said process and need to shipped out at some point. Athearn makes nifty tank cars for this, but they seem like they are all post 1990 manufacture.

Any ideas about which cars might work for us earlier shippers?  Being at least somewhat close would be nice if possible, suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks, and enjoy your trains,

John Huey
Simi Valley, CA

https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/general-american-8000-gallon-acid-welded-tank-car/

Maybe something like these....?

Dave Burman
modeling the modern Twin Cities
Trempealeau, WI

John,

If you've never seen it, Tony Thompson wrote this piece on modeling a Southern Pacific O-50-12/-13 from an Athearn car.
http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2011/05/modeling-sp-tank-cars.html

In, or beginning in 1961, SP converted eight O-50-13 cars for sulfuric acid service (#63000-63007) by adding a platform around the dome with railings and a new ladder.  I have all the original shop notes and blueprints for the job.  Work done at Bayshore Yard.  My documentation says they were for service from General Chemical Company in El Segundo, California to American Potash and Chemical Company in Trona, California.  Not sure how long they lasted, but possibly into your era.

Mark



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/17 08:00 by mwbridgwater.

Thanks Mark,

So now the quest to find an image of a O-70-1 Sulfuric Acid tank car is underway. So far zip as to the usual suspects. Drats!

John Huey
Simi Valley, CA
http://mancosbob.rrpicturearchives.net/default.aspx

Yes, that's the rebuilt classification and yes, no photos yet.  I'm especially interested to find any that would shed some light on paint and lettering particulars.  As detailed as my information is (An SP file folder 1-1/2 inches thick, just on this project) there is no directive for new paint and lettering, other than the new numbers assigned.

Mark

Here is the O-50-13 image that I have, just for those who might wonder what the heck we is talking about.

John Huey
Simi Valley, CA
http://mancosbob.rrpicturearchives.net/default.aspx

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The photo of SP 63117 at Bakersfield at http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass/tank/o100-04.htm shows it still painted for sulfuric acid service. I wonder if the paint scheme was the same.

EricSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The photo of SP 63117 at Bakersfield
> at http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass
> /tank/o100-04.htm shows it still painted for
> sulfuric acid service. I wonder if the paint
> scheme was the same.


Eric, I wish I knew, that is becoming a great mystery to be sure. Good catch.
I wish I knew the dimensions of that class of car, the O-100-4's, I could use those if a suitable model was out there.
The reason I'm thinking O-70-1 is the body and dome are known sizes, and one can at least get in the ballpark for a model.

John Huey
Simi Valley, CA
http://mancosbob.rrpicturearchives.net/default.aspx



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/17 22:49 by SPHTS_001.