In the August issue of Model Railroader on Pg.34 is and Add. for a Cement Tankcar. Questions. Is this a Japanese prototype? Is it used to haul wet cement? Is there an N. American prototype for this car? Is this what the Atlas gondola with those “Tanks” in them were/are used for? Are they still being used for that? Who invented liquid soap and why? Anybody got proto photos of this or a similar N. American car? Please and thank you.
SD90, yes, they are Japanese Prototype. As fas as I know they are used to handle dry cement, pretty much like an Airslide Hopper. They are still in use in Japan (at least I have seen cars like this in Tokyo earlier this year). Liquid soap was of course invented in Russia (Strange that you should ask...) I did not snap any pictures of it and my Japanese reference webpage is currently down.. http://www.japanmodelrailways.com/ I hope this helps Dirk
If you are looking for a modern US cement hopper, just wait as I think that someone will be coming out with some sometime this year.
here is the link to the Kato Japan site with a better photo of the cars and a brief discription of the cars http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/taki1900_hitachi_e.shtml
