Following World War II, specialized liquid shippers requested new special duty tank cars, and General American Transportation Corporation met their demands by producing specific-service cars such as this 8,000 gallon acid service tank car. At the same time, General American switched from a riveted underframe and riveted tank design to a welded underframe and tank. While General American’s factory in Sharon PA manufactured at least three different post-war versions of 8,000 gallon acid all-welded tank cars, these specific prototypes were produced between 1949 and 1960. Like all Tangent Scale Models offerings, these tank cars had long service lives, lasting well into the 1980s in revenue service. Acid service tank cars were commonly-seen nationwide, providing transportation for strong chemical compounds, such as hydrochloric (muriatic), hydrofluoric, phosphoric, and sulfuric acids. Acid tank cars were rubber-lined, featured one percent expansion domes on the top, and did not have bottom tank outlets.

GATX “White Lease 1980+” in the plain “white lease 1980+” scheme which includes a large black stripe in the middle of the car, as well as tiny “Dupont de Nemours” lettering for hydrochloric acid loading. The black stripe was applied by GATX leasing in an “economy” mode where it is only painted onto the top two-thirds of the tank. These cars were repainted in 1980, which of course is modeled after an exact prototype photo. These cars are documented to have lasted into the 1990s, and represents a general lease car broadly applicable across North America. Check out the ACI placard in this car, which sits on its own placard off the walkway. Very cool, and very 1980s.

Features:

• Distinctive small expansion dome at the top
• Top “see-through” safety walkway
• Side safety walkway with “see-through” safety tread
• Accurate painting and printing
• Tangent 50 ton ASF cast steel spring plank trucks
• CNC-Machined 33″ wheels
• Kadee couplers