Speedwitch NATX tank car instructions follow-up
Several list members have asked what else is needed to build models of Pressed Steel tank cars based on the resin tank castings. The castings were intended to augment the Speedwitch NATX tank car kits and the "mini-kits" Ted put together when InterMountain kits and parts became unavailable. The two color images show what's in the mini-kits: three different decal sets (two sheets of each of the ones shown), custom resin castings for walkways, end/side sills and tank supports, two small etched brass sheets, a sprue of Precision Scale handrail stanchions and a cleanout fitting. The latter is not needed as it has already been incorporated into the resin tank. The custom resin castings were cast by someone else from Ted's patterns so I won't duplicate them. Richard Hendrickson scratch built those parts for his article in the first PROTOTYPE RAILROAD MODELING magazine, and attached are two images of pages from that article showing his work. It isn't a "how to" article, so if others on this list can supply or reference additional information or drawings for those parts it would be most appreciated.
Tom Madden
All the resin tanks are spoken for.
Several list members have asked what else is needed to build models of Pressed Steel tank cars based on the resin tank castings. The castings were intended to augment the Speedwitch NATX tank car kits and the "mini-kits" Ted put together when InterMountain kits and parts became unavailable. The two color images show what's in the mini-kits: three different decal sets (two sheets of each of the ones shown), custom resin castings for walkways, end/side sills and tank supports, two small etched brass sheets, a sprue of Precision Scale handrail stanchions and a cleanout fitting. The latter is not needed as it has already been incorporated into the resin tank. The custom resin castings were cast by someone else from Ted's patterns so I won't duplicate them. Richard Hendrickson scratch built those parts for his article in the first PROTOTYPE RAILROAD MODELING magazine, and attached are two images of pages from that article showing his work. It isn't a "how to" article, so if others on this list can supply or reference additional information or drawings for those parts it would be most appreciated.
Tom Madden
Tom, thank you for the additional information!
The former Speedwitch decals for these cars are available from National Scale Car https://nationalscalecar.com/decals-ho-scale/
set D225 covers the NATX 8,000 gallon and AE Staley cars
The handrail stanchions are available from Precision Scale, their #32110. You can purchase from their website https://www.precisionscaleco.com/
Or, they also sell on eBay, seller ID is “J-TPrantle”, the current owners of PSC. Very nice people to deal with.
It looks like most of the other parts can be fabricated, although the uncoupling lever brackets are interesting. I’m still working to understand the difference in the end and side sills from the Tichy design. It appears that Richard Hendrickson may have used the stock sills? Any perspective from those who have built a kit or have knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks to Tom Madden for making this tank car build accessible to a new group of modelers, like myself, who may not have been ready for it when it was offered originally.
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Cheers
Jeff Helm
The Olympic Peninsula Branch
https://olympicpeninsulabranch.blogspot.com/