Scratchbuilding tankers?

The only two mass-produced pre-1970 options are the MTL single-dome cars, which I've got a bunch of already, and Marklin's single-dome cars (which right now are more expensive than I'm willing to pay for, especially since they'd need new trucks and couplers). I've concluded that the best way to diversify my tanker fleet is to dive in and build a few myself.

I have a few designs in mind and reasonably accurate larger-scale models to use for reference, but I'm at a bit of a loss since this is my first attempt at scratchbuilding. The tank bodies are going to be either styrene tube stock or cast resin, as are the domes. The chassis is what concerns me- I'd appreciate any recommendations on materials and technique to produce a convincing appearance. Detail parts are less of an issue, but any help with those would be appreciated too.

I've attached pictures of some potential designs similar to the HO and N scale models I'll be scaling my measurements down from.

There used to be some other tankers out there, triple domed ones too. Used to be able to get them at Z Track Center. Good luck in your endeavors.

Hi Daniel
First of all i would like to welcome you to the world of scratchbuilding! If this is the first time you have tryed it you picked a not to easy project to do so i will help where i can.
For the tank and dome styrene tube will work the best for you. Evergreen Products and Plastruct are the two main makers of styrene sheets and shapes. My personal preference is Evergreen but thats just me, both are good. 1/2" tube will work perfectly for the tank and plastruct has domes for the tube.
The chassis can be made from styrene strips which you can bond together with solvent or CA glue but i prefer the solvent on most peices but when i get to very small detail i switch to CA because the solvent could melt away the detail.
I dont know if you get Ztrack mag. but a few years ago they hade a 2 part artical on scratchbuilding the TankTrain in z scale so that would be a big help for you and this project. Give them a call and get the 2 back issues, its worth it!

I hope i helped a little, post any other questions and i am happy to help.

Steve aka "Mr. Styrene"

Kelley wrote: There used to be some other tankers out there, triple domed ones too. Used to be able to get them at Z Track Center. Good luck in your endeavors.

We have taken these off of Center. But I can check to see if the manufacturer is still interested in producing them. They were cast resin. The detail was fairly good. The three dome tank car was unique! If I can get them, they come either black or silver, no lettering.

Rob Kluz

slugger wrote: Hi Daniel
I dont know if you get Ztrack mag. but a few years ago they hade a 2 part artical on scratchbuilding the TankTrain in z scale so that would be a big help for you and this project. Give them a call and get the 2 back issues, its worth it!

I hope i helped a little, post any other questions and i am happy to help.

Steve aka "Mr. Styrene"

I had to go back in are archives. The two articles ran 10 years ago. how time flies! The tank train was from Jeffrey White. It was AMAZING!! Jeffrey ran it during the National Train in Ft. Lauderdale. I checked and we do have the two back issues available. Here is the link:

www.ztrack.com/issues/issues_02.html

Rob Kluz

Being able to look at how others have put their cars together is priceless. Those Mobilgas and Texaco cars look great! Thanks for the links and the support.

I'll be doing a little materials shopping tomorrow, hopefully. Most of my train budget is going towards replacing trucks and saving towards another loco, so cost is definitely an issue- but I've got the itch to build something, and since I can't start work on a layout yet (not until after the move) it's got to be a wider variety of tankers.

This also gives me an excuse to put off re-lettering a bunch of hoppers that were wearing the wrong road names... I love the assembly part but decals are the bane of my existence and I definitely am not eager to fiddle with water transfers on a bunch of 1:220 rib-sides.