General American produced the 6000 Gallon 3-Compartment tank car on the “Type 30” riveted underframe from 1928 to 1942 at General American’s Sharon PA factory. While General American constructed many different tank designs, this 6,000 Gallon, 3-Compartment car was a memorable design that was leased by multiple shippers. The 3-Compartment design allowed consignees to receive up to three different grades of products, such as oils or chemicals. This was important in manufacturing facilities for example, where multiple lubricating oil types could be received in smaller quantities, but within one car. Chemical shippers also gravitated to these cars to ship different products to a common receiver. Additionally, some shippers utilized “split waybills” so that 1-2 compartments of the car could be unloaded at one customer, and the balance 1-2 compartments could be unloaded at a second customer located at a different location, usually in a different city or town.

 

Example commodities these multi-compartment cars hauled:

• Linseed oil

• Silicate of Soda (made with caustic soda and sand) sometimes referred to as sodium silicate.

• Printing ink

• Lubricating Oil

• Motor Oil

• Gasoline

• Tallow

• Varnishes

• Acids

• Solvents

• Alcohols

• Acetates

• Vegetable Oils

 

These tank cars were extremely long lived, lasting well into the 1970s and 1980s with virtually no modifications. The Tangent Scale Models GA tank car is a visually distinctive model that includes different brake hardware accurate for each paint scheme. Also, note Tangent Scale Models “true-to-life” colors and “hyper-accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement. Finally, Tangent Scale Models scale replicas operate as well as they look, equipped with free-rolling all-metal wheels inside their Tangent “spring plank” truck and Kadee scale couplers. Tangent Scale Models models are truly ready to run.

 

Features for Tangent Scale Models General American 1928-Design 6000 Gallon 3-Compartment Tank Car replicas include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from General American plans

• Highly correct “true to life” colors

• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement

• Multiple road numbers for each scheme where appropriate

• Fully riveted body

• Fully riveted underframe

• Separately applied tank handrail

• Separately applied tank strap detail

• Heater line and outlet drain details, including correct side profile between tank and underframe when viewing the car from the side

• Full AB brake detail and air line

• Dimensionally-correct hazardous and route placards

• “Near-scale” draft gear box with side detail

• Road-specific brakewheels for each scheme

• Wire grab irons and coupler lift bars

• Separate air hoses

• High-quality Tangent Scale Models 50-Ton ASF cast steel truck with spring plank

• CNC-machined 33” wheels with accurate front and back profile detail

• Replacement semi-scale wheels available separately from Tangent

• Genuine Kadee scale “scale-head” couplers

• Recommended age 14 years and older

 

– MPCX (Magnolia Petroleum Company) Delivery Silver and Black 1935 represents another as-delivered car from General American. MPCX are the registered reporting marks for Magnolia Petroleum Company. These 3-Compartment cars were delivered in the bright “original black and silver 1935” scheme. Magnolia purchased a series of these cars from General American’s Sharon PA plant in 1935. Check out the individual (and accurate) compartment and expansion dome data on each of the three domes. The black handrails, grab irons and walkways really stand out against the silver tank. These eye-catching cars are available in two all-new road numbers for 2024.

 

Looking for more Tangent Scale Models Tank Cars? Click here!

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