Tank Cars

My next freight project was a pair of tank cars. These will be able to carry and deliver water to garden plants. The tanks started as 6" diameter PVC water pipe, 16" long. This diameter is larger than my lathe can handle, so I had a local machine shop square up the ends of the pieces of the pipe, and then machine four PVC discs to be fitted end caps, shaped to look like large tank ends. Prototypical tanks were riveted together, which I simulated by applying .060" styrene sheets at each end of the tank body, with rivets dimpled into the edges of the sheets. The filler turret on tap also had the same rivet sheet treatment. The finished tank is waterproof, and holds about 2 gallons of water.

These tank cars have a "steel" spine for the frame. This is built up using brass bar stock, soldered together, with additional parts fabricated, and bolted to the frame, for mounting the tank and the trucks. The tank is secured to the frame with two bands. The end of the frame creates the coupler pocket.

The ladder giving access to the tank top, a grab iron, and the hardware for the tank lid, are all bolted to the tank with 0-80 screws, allowing the parts to be painted a different color than the tank and be applied later. The gasketed tank lid can be secured closed while transporting the water.

The tank drains through a shutoff valve, with pipes splitting to each side of the tank car, allowing water to be distributed from either side of the car.

Here are pictures of the finished car, waiting for decals and weathering.

Two pieces of hose, with threaded fittings, are carried on the side of each car, allowing water to be delivered several feet to the side of the railroad.