Available in three road numbers for each road offered - only authentic roads and road numbers will be produced. Life-Like's 8,000 Gallon Type 21 Riveted Tank Car surpasses PROTO 2000's high standards of quality and excellence. Notable for its fine detail, complete accuracy and crisp printing, this car is an exact replica of the original. The PROTO 2000 Tank Car perfectly duplicates prototype lettering, down to the placard boards, air reservoir and more. Features of the PROTO 2000 Tank Car include:

Accurately Scaled 4 Course Riveted Tank (8,000 Gallon)

Non-Magnetic Blackened Metal Wheels with Raised Lettering

Extremely Free-Rolling Trucks and Wheel Sets

Universal Coupler Pockets - PROTO 2000 Magnetic Knuckle Couplers

Full Underframe Detail with Cardwell Draft Gear and AB Brake System

Laser-Quality, Prototype-Correct Printing & Lettering on Tank and Placard Boards, Underframe, and Air Reservoir Prototype History: During the decade immediately following WWI, the tank car experienced a dramatic rise in popularity due to the booming automobile industry. Tank cars were now needed to haul gas and motor oil whereas, prior to the war, they were used primarily to haul kerosene. Over this ten-year period, more tank cars were built than ever before or after and the number of tank cars in service more than doubled, from 50,000 to over 100,000. Thousands of these cars were American Car and Foundry Type 21s which hold the record for the largest quantity of tank cars ever produced. AC&F Type 21s were introduced in 1921 and because of their sturdy build, remained in service through the 1950s and 1960s. Beginning in the 1930s their brake systems were updated to the safer AB standard which later became mandated in interchange service. The PROTO 2000 model represents a tank car rebuilt with AB brakes. Type 21 tank cars were owned by most major oil companies, tank car lines (for petroleum service), chemical companies and other private shippers. After they were retired from interchange service, tank cars were used by a number of railroads for fuel oil and maintenance of way service.