MODELING CANADIAN PACIFIC TANK CARS

Extra 3628 East works upgrade on the Coquihalla Sub with a train of loaded tank cars full of Bunker C Fuel Oil.  It is September of 1949 and these tank cars are "OCS" (on company service) destined for the various fuel storage tanks on the Kettle Valley Division.  The CPR has recently converted most of its locomotives to oil from coal and constructed the requisite storage and service facilities at Brookmere, Penticton and Carmi.  In addition to the OCS tanks, oil and gas were supplied to the many communities along the line as evidenced by the many private tank cars to be seen in the consists of Kettle Valley trains.

Modeling these CPR tank cars was an interesting and rewarding experience for me as they are somewhat unique and essential to my era and operations.  I provide here some photos and drawings of two different cars that were the most numerous on the company's roster.  In both cases, I was fortunate to photograph and measure the prototypes.  But unfortunately, the photos were loaned to a friend and lost.  CP Tracks carried an article and photos in Issue 11-1.  You can click on any photo or drawing for enlargement and downloading.

The "long one":  From the 1950 MP-14.  50 cars listed in series No.'s 389000 - 389049.  Built in 1923 & Jan 1924.  Length: 43'-0", capacity 100,000 lbs..  Here is a shot of two showing both sides.  Ladder is found on left side only.  Construction:  Athearn tank; Frame spliced from two Tichy frame kits.  Dome is small Tichy with a collar made from styrene.  Wire handrail and brass Handrail Brackets by Precision Scale (part number 32110).  Blackcat decals plus some custom dry transfers.
 
These drawings were made on 8 1/2" x 11" paper so you can scale them.  Originally drawn to 1/4" : 1'-0".

 

Here are some shots that my friend, the late Glenn Lawrence, took around 1960.  The cars are likely being unloaded of their Diesel fuel for the Vancouver engine facilities.  Glenn was very generous with his photos and resources as well as a very good modeler whom I met at the Vancouver Club in the CNR station.
 
The Short One:  From the 1950 MP 14.  101 cars listed in Series 389501 - 389719 .  Built 1912.  Length over Strikers: 32' - 7 1/2".  Capacity 80,000 lbs.

Proto 2000 Car Kit.  Added K-brake system and small plastic dome from Precision Scale (part number 32108.1).  Collar of Styrene with embossed rivets using dull needle.  Fabricated safety vents from styrene rod softened with a heat gun (hair dryer) Several tries to get it right.  Vent Caps from kit?  A brass version is available from Owl Mountain Models at http://www.owlmtmodels.com/detail_parts/detail_parts.html#Vents   Precision Scale brass handrail stanchions (part number 32110). Radial rivets from Archer Decals (original kit longitudinal rivets filed and scraped off.)  Accurail trucks and Intermountain wheelsets.  Blackcat Decals.

Drawings from measurements taken in late 1980's.  Car was to be moved for scrapping.
 

These drawings were done on 8 1/2" x 11" paper and can be scaled.

A very good photo of the prototype can be seen in the CP Tracks issue 11-1 and also in Nicholas  Morant's Canadian Pacific by J. F. Garden, pages 84 & 87.

This post is a little late due to much activity on the layout: Eng 925 got a lot of attention and is working well!  Lots of scenery and a road bridge for the logging trucks.  It is hard to break away from modeling when you are on a roll.

Hope to see some CPR tank cars by others eventually.

Coquihalla Man

Update Jan 3 2018: Part numbers added for handrail brackets and small dome.