Here's a project I decided to finish since we are stranded in the snow today. Started with an old Atlas 94ft tankcar. Removed the plastic walkways on top and added etched brass ones. Biggest improvement was removing the Atlas wheels/trucks and adding BLMA's awesome 100 ton wheels/trucks. Painted the truck assembly red to match photos, and also added MT couplers. Still going to add weathering and railings/brake rigging on the ends. Here it is checking the coupler height. With the BLMA wheels installed the coupler was dead on without adding any shims. Just mounted straight to the platform.
Here's a comparision of the tankcar with the original Atlas trucks/wheels, and the BLMA's. A HUGE improvement!
I have always liked this car, and now it looks more like the real one and will finally get some track time in freight trains.
Of course now you've ruined the collector value The good news is that there are plenty of used copies out there. Seems to me that as long as there's a tank and the platforms intact, you're good to go. Nice work!
I think the 'collectors' are going the way of the dodo bird....LOL Even the N Scale Collector, (Which I am a member of), has changed its name to the N Scale Entusiast. Long live the runners!
Yes, N Scale Enthusiast it is. This change probably should have happened a long time ago as very few of the members are simply collectors. (And I'm a member also as most of you already know.) The Atlas 94 foot tank car is just one of those unexplainables in terms of aftermarket pricing-- yes, it's generally pretty high even given that it's been out of production for decades. Compare it to the large "Pig Palace" stock car for example, another Atlas First Generation item that came out at the same time... those go for very little relatively speaking. As I note on my A1G site (which has photos of all four paint schemes, though only the GATX that Jerry did is prototypical) I think there are petroliana collectors that go for these 94 foot tank cars as well as model railroaders, collectors, accumulators (my preferred term), etc.
No railing up top......but on the platforms. You can see them above the wheels and the brake system also on the platform. http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/railwhales/photos/gatx096500_tom_stolte.jpg
These things still go for big bucks on ebay everytime one pops up. I only changed out the wheels/couplers on mine. picked it up for $12 at a show by the way.
I see. I was planning on selling two of mine but realize that they are going for an average of $40. I consider myself to have been very lucky to get my lot for the price they are selling one unit for today. Please keep the pics coming, great job.
This is one of those models you just wonder why it hasnt been done again. It always sells on EBay, and even if you just did a run of the prototype, it would do well I think. And not only the 'whale belly' design, but there are several versions with 4 trucks that could be done, and even 6 axle versions. Huge market for tank cars.
Just checked E-Bay and there are none listed at the present time. Every time I bid the price seems to go to ridiculous levels. This thread should only make the price go higher!! Nice job on this one! Steve Ervin
Jerry, WOW, what a difference do the wheels make!!! Very cool... I have one of these somewhere, got to dig it up.... Otto
looks great with the new wheels and paint!!! was the coupler a truck mounted blma turck? i need to do my 3
Yes! I have 3 of these I bought new. How "easy" was it to install the trucks, couplers and the etched brass roof walk? Which couplers? I have nimble fingers and maybe my new vision will get me through.
