My railroad is set in the late 1980s and for the most part I have been able to figure out what equipment was running on the rails, but I havent been able to figure out what tank cars were in operation. So my question is: Is there a website out there to help in figuring out what equipment was being used during that time period? Thanks
Do a Google search for Your Railroad. Tank cars used for era, Etc.
Railroad equipment used in 80's for all commodities. Just searching, for what I just typed, gives hundred's of answers, Pick one.
All You ask, is at Your finger tips....
Take Care!
Frank
Thanks Frank. I'm modeling The Katy, and am finding it tough to find much but I will keep looking. I may have to fold and buy some books
Also if you can find old copies of the Official Railway Equipment Register from the year(s) you're targeting, those are superbly valuable resources, as they actually list the entire rosters of cars that were in interchange service at that time.
The register gives exact number series, with car types and general descriptions, dimensions, capacities and quantities, but doesn't tell you builder or appearance information, except what you can infer from the known dimensions.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
Should you model the Katy in the late 80s. Since Union Pacific and MKT had merging talks during 1986-1989.
It would be better to model it in the early 1980s. Unless you want UP diesels with your MKT fleet.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Even I have problems finding tank cars in my late 1980s era in Conrail and also present 2004-2007 modern era Union Pacific and BNSF.
Tank cars are always challenging since they change paint schemes and logos unlike other freight cars.
By your era relatively few tank cars had center sills. For that reason I suggest buying the Morning Sun color book "Tank Cars Color Guide Volume 2: Stub Sill Cars" by James Kinkaid. (His Volume 1 has the full center sill cars). His captions usually give year and location where he has the information and I have found them of enormous help in deciding what tank cars to buy -- or not buy -- for my layout. I did get both books because my layout is an earlier era where there were plenty of both types of tank cars. But even then it is useful to get a sense of what color and lettering schemes could be seen.
One thing you learn from those books: while Atlas in particular has been very good to those who seek modern tank cars, there are many many cars that have never been available in kit or RTR and there is room for improvement, both for modern and for older era cars.
I forget the name of the fellow who posts on these forums from time to time and who has a website showing his wonderful scratchbuilt and kitbashed tank car models. Perhaps he will find this thread and link to his website.
Amended post: found it! His name is Bobby Pitts, his name on the forums is Tankcarsrule, and here is a link to some of his models.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/53243414@N00/sets/72157622308273777/
Dave Nelson
angelob6660 Should you model the Katy in the late 80s. Since Union Pacific and MKT had merging talks during 1986-1989. It would be better to model it in the early 1980s. Unless you want UP diesels with your MKT fleet.
I lengthened the merger a bit, if you will, for the story of my railroad. I didnt want it to happpen as quickly as when UP finally took over the Katy in 89-90 and did away with the green scheme.
dknelson By your era relatively few tank cars had center sills. For that reason I suggest buying the Morning Sun color book "Tank Cars Color Guide Volume 2: Stub Sill Cars" by James Kinkaid. (His Volume 1 has the full center sill cars). His captions usually give year and location where he has the information and I have found them of enormous help in deciding what tank cars to buy -- or not buy -- for my layout. I did get both books because my layout is an earlier era where there were plenty of both types of tank cars. But even then it is useful to get a sense of what color and lettering schemes could be seen. One thing you learn from those books: while Atlas in particular has been very good to those who seek modern tank cars, there are many many cars that have never been available in kit or RTR and there is room for improvement, both for modern and for older era cars. I forget the name of the fellow who posts on these forums from time to time and who has a website showing his wonderful scratchbuilt and kitbashed tank car models. Perhaps he will find this thread and link to his website. Dave Nelson