Detailing a 33000 gallon tankcar

StickyMonk Dec 12, 2000

  1. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <font color="336633">I have started to detail my second Car an Atlas 33000 gallon tankcar, it is a good model but needs a few extra's.
    [​IMG]

    the safety chains dont show very well on the pic, these are chains on these particular cars some tanks i have seen have a bar rather than chain. i used cotton thread as there is no chain small enough to use that looks right.

    the Brake pipeing needs to be removed and seperate brass wire needs to be added as it is very visable on these cars.

    the support struts at each corner are made out of 0.45mm nickel silver wire as this comes in straight lenghts.

    the coupler cut bar is just a Detail Associates part #6215

    and the placard decals im stuck on, does anyone know of where i can get decals or info on how to paint them?

    I will post a pic of this when i get the placards and get it weathered [​IMG]

    for a couple of nights work it makes a big difference to an other wise good Car
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    Matthew
    wheres all the C636's????
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    stickymonk.com
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  2. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Sticky, there is an old trick that was used when putting a ship in a bottle, to make the chains that brace the bow sprit. There is a very fine (.0015" diameter to .002") mono filiment that is obtained from the black insulation wrapping for electric wiring. There are other sources and sizes.
    The thing you do is: make a loop by tieing a knot in one end of your line. Hook the loop over a straight pin. Now as if you had a crochet hook, pull another loop of the line through the first loop(that is around the pin), and then hold your new loop, and pull the first loop tight or snug up to the pin, make another loop and pull it through the second loop, then pull the second loop snug against the first loop. Make another loop --- and so on etc. until you have made the length "chain" you need. Pull the end of the filament up through the loop to prevent it from unravelling, just snug. Use a tooth pick and glue the last loop in place. Your new chain is also still flexible too! Step back and look at your "chain" and when someone sees your car go by, he'll probably ask,"where did you find a chain that small?" One word of caution, don't pull the loops too tight, just snug, or you will distort your chain. We have unravelled sewing thread to get one of these filaments of a rust color, called "Cinnamon". Try it, You'll like it! Remember, at "N" scale 1" diameter is only .00625"[.15875mm] the same as the one inch flange on your wheels that keeps all that tonnage on the rails! Yeah, sure! Ha!


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    Watash #982 [​IMG]

    [This message has been edited by watash (edited 12 December 2000).]

    [This message has been edited by StickyMonk (edited 14 December 2000).]
     
  3. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <font color="336633">Thanks for the Tip [​IMG].</font>

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    Matthew
    wheres all the C636's????
    [​IMG]

    stickymonk.com
    Matts Photo gallery
    TrainBoard member #257

    [This message has been edited by StickyMonk (edited 14 December 2000).]
     
  4. Mankind

    Mankind Guest

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    Hiya,

    Microscale makes warning placards that'll work on the Atlas 33k tanks. I painted up a couple of them for Richmond Tank Car, and the sheet I used came with placards; there is another sheet they make with nothing but safety placards. MC-4264 is for the RTCX car(cool all-black plane jane LPG car), and 87-840, Hazardous Materials Placards. Now you've got me eyeing one of my undec tanks...I've been thinking of doing a later car with lowered brakewheel and head shields on the ends. So many projects.... [​IMG]

    Paul #3

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    [​IMG]
    Have A Nice Day!

    [This message has been edited by Mankind (edited 12 December 2000).]
     
  5. tunnel88

    tunnel88 TrainBoard Member

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    I don't remember the # but the sheet is all placards... and they tell you what material they for as well.
     
  6. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I can attest to the improvement on this car with these quite simple mods. (It is standing on the test track in my workshop). Well worth the effort, especially on tank cars, where all the 'bits' are very visible [​IMG]

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    Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12

    The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale!

    www.alancurtismodels.com
    Andersley Western Railroad
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  7. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mankind:
    I've been thinking of doing a later car with lowered brakewheel and head shields on the ends
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    <font color="336633">are these the head sheets you mean?
    [​IMG]


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    Matthew
    wheres all the C636's????
    [​IMG]

    stickymonk.com
    Matts Photo gallery
    TrainBoard member #257

    [This message has been edited by StickyMonk (edited 12 December 2000).]
     
  8. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Sorry Sticky, I guess I wasn't paying attention! Maybe our Fearless Moderator will have pity on me and move my "Chain" post to the "How To, Tip" form where it really belongs! Hint Hint?? There are some Jewelery chains that are small enough to work on HO. I have some, they are silver plated and were blackened, (Do not paint them). They are called Baby Chain. It is not expensive, but the little charms will eat your wallet.

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    Watash #982 [​IMG]
     
  9. Mankind

    Mankind Guest

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by StickyMonk:
    <font color="336633">are these the head sheets you mean?
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


    Those are exactly what I was talking about, Sticky...and from the looks of the car, they did their job of keeping the ends from being punctured by another coupler!

    Paul #3


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    [​IMG]
    Have A Nice Day!
     
  10. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    <font color="336633">Talking of couplers, is there an easy way of making a decent looking proper tankcar coupler (the ones with extra bits at the top and bottom to stop them comeing uncoupled during a derailment?

    Sorry Watash i dont think i can move just your one post to the how to thread [​IMG]
    </font>

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    Matthew
    wheres all the C636's????
    [​IMG]

    stickymonk.com
    Matts Photo gallery
    TrainBoard member #257
     
  11. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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  12. Mankind

    Mankind Guest

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan:
    I think the tank car couplers are called double shelf couplers? Are they now mandatory?

    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    That's it exactly, Alan. Double shelf couplers became required equipment on tank cars to prevent uncouplings in derailments. There were some nasty spills/fires in the past due to tankers getting uncoupled from adjacent cars, with the adjacent cars' coupler/draft gear puncturing the head(end) of the tanker; this is also the reason for the head shields Sticky and I mentioned earlier. AFAIK, nobody makes shelf-type couplers...maybe Sergent, or Kadee will make one if the sales of their scale-size couplers show a demand. I know I could use some!

    Paul #3


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    [​IMG]
    Have A Nice Day!
     
  13. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Sticky, Why not just delete my post about the chain, and I'll post it on the HOW TO thread? OK It doesn't fit here.

    If you want to similate the safety couplers: look long and hard til you discover an empty used discarded beer can. Cut a strip out of the side, flatten it, trim it and bend it top and bottom into a shape like the capture clam shell looks, and simply file a bit of a flat on the solid side of your couplers, and CA the clam on? Aluminum wont disturb the uncoupling action, and the appearence is what you want. Paint the strip, or rust it. Life goes on.

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    Watash #982 [​IMG]
     

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