Just thought I would let everyone know Weaver is re-running the green sinclair oil tank cars in 3 numbers. They are being done and assembled now. If anyone is interested in ordering better get your orders in quick.
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What size tank cars are they? In the latest issue of OGR, Run 266, on page 13, there is a very nice write-up about Weaver Models 40 foot tank cars being available again.
However, the write-up doesn't say what size they are, i.e HOW MANY GALLONS?????
8000 gallons, 10,000 gallons, or ?
The car graphics say 10,000
Any information as to what era these tank cars are for? What are the build dates and repack dates on the cars, i.e. 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, or newer?
These cars are welded unibody construction. They are later than 40's and 50's.
Originally Posted by RoyBoy:
These cars are welded unibody construction. They are later than 40's and 50's.
Thanks. That is the information I was looking for. That means they are too new for my layout.
However, the write-up doesn't say what size they are, i.e HOW MANY GALLONS?????
Hot Water
You ask a great question. Weaver's advertisement of model tank cars by length is a little odd. Tank car capacities are defined by weight and volume. Along with the Lionel Unibody Tank car and the original MTH Premier tank car the Weaver 40 and 50 foot tank cars are modestly detailed generic models of the all welded, stub sill tank cars that have been common on American rails since the 1960s.
I don't have a Weaver tank car to measure. If someone who does can provide us with precise dimensions it would be very helpful. As a ballpark estimate of the Volume of the Weaver tank car we can start with the internal dimensions of a tank 40 feet long by 8 feet in diameter. It would have a capacity of 15000 gallons. That would make it a little too small for 100 tons of Caustic Soda and a little too large for 100 tons of sulfuric acid. Both the 40 an 50 foot cars would be too small to carry 100 tons of a petroleum product.
The Lionel Unibody tank car came out in 1990. The original MTH tank car debuted with the early freight cars in the Premier line in 1996. I am uncertain of the Weaver tank cars origins but it fits in with the level of detail and prototype accuracy that was expected in O scale back in the 1990s. Many of these generic modern tank cars from Lionel, MTH and Weaver wear colorful decoration that is popular and based on a real world prototype but the capacity data is totally inaccurate for the dimensions or even the construction style of the car.
Stay tuned for more information on tank cars in an upcoming installment of The O Scale Freight Car Guide. 
Here it is..........Don
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For those interested in a steam era Sinclair tank car it looks like there are three options.
Atlas made the black 8678/9678 8000 gallon tank car in four road numbers for the Public Delivery Track.
In 1998 Lionel made diecast green Sinclair cars based on the prewar scale tank car. The 6-26977 was a 3 car set. Other product numbers may exist for 2 car sets or separate sale cars.
And there is the MTH 30-7311. While this is a Railking car it is a scale sized model of an 8000 gallon tank car. We have even had people post on the 3RS forum showing how to convert the Railking tank car to Kadee couplers.
