Large Scale Central

Build Challenge: A Vat Car for the Old Late and Slow

Modeling
#1

Update, Feb 9, 2013:

I have now completed reformatting my older posts to the narrower 800px width of this new site.

This has meant reducing the size of the pictures and cutting out some copy as I retyped it all to fit, but the basic how-to info is all here. In two places I was obliged to reduce the font size from12pt to 10pt.

Regrettably, the pictures are no longer quite as clear as they were. You are most likely to notice this in posts dated prior to the close of the challenge. After that date my posts were formatted to the correct 800px; they retain their original size and clarity.

I have all the original pix on my hard drive and, 'though i hope this won’t be necessary, I will happily email out any images that readers request offlist.

I enjoyed this project and I am grateful to all the guys who made this year’s challenge a reality.

I hope you enjoy reading about my build. Thanks - John

#2

John, Your picture didn’t show up. Your code is no good. Try renaming it…I think it is the “@” that is doing it. [code]

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/_forumfiles/Vat1@50%.JPG)

[/code]

#3

Use letters and numbers only for names.
such as : vatcar1 and so on.

#4

Thanks guys - I figured as much. Then just as I tried to fix it this morning my Internet Connection crapped out on me, so we were stuck with my boo-boo for a few hours. All fixed now though.

I’ve decided to narrow the car a bit to match my 1:22-1:24 gear, and also stretch it some to accommodate a full complement of four vats.

#5

That’s really cool! I’m playing with a tea/alcohol stain that might work for your vats, if you need finish ideas.

Reminds me that I need to make about 10 wooden oil tanks to go with the well and pumping station I haven’t finished you…one of there days… maybe I’ll have to make one or two to go with my tank car, just for giggles, and if I have time… or hire you :wink:

BTW, will this prototype vinegar car pic help?
http://www.billspennsyphotos.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=82586970

#6

I do like that one Mik! A whole lot. It’s older and more primitive than the ones I have been looking at; I’m a sucker for that. I’ll be referrring to that photo again during this build!

#7

Glad to see you jumping in the pond. You can add to the car or not… I’v seen tub cars and I like them… Three up on a shorty 10 ton car would be just fine. After all Who can’t find a prototype for what ever they want. And besides… No where does it say that it has to be anything that you don’t want it to be. Your railroad, your cars…

OTOH half the time I have a Teradactal and a T-Rex riding on my pike.

#8

I like your plan John. I did get a kit from Dave and right now it is far from being a gondola as you have seen on my build thread and I’m not disqualified. I have thought about building a vat car or even better a pickle car but my RR is too new to be running them. I look forward to seeing how yours comes together.
Todd

#9

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Upload05-10-800px.jpg)

#10

I really like the photo #10 look much better then the "boxcar " roof. I can’t tell from the pics, is there a tapper to the vats?

#11

A suggestion John would cable ties work in place of the wire? I have used Pvc pipe as the base for a couple of water tanks on Eastern Pacific and Coastal Railroad and the cable ties have worked well

#12

Good idea Bill, I’d never thought of cable ties & don’t have any 'round here. I’ll look into them (at Lowes?) this weekend. Always glad of fresh ideas, thanks!

Aah - the Backyard Railroaders (my club) has a meeting on Sunday afternoon. Something to look forward to, but it’ll cut into my modelling time some! It’ll be time to pony up $30 for 2013. The food’s always good, though, and the gang’s great …

#13
Dave Taylor said:
I really like the photo #10 look much better then the "boxcar " roof. I can't tell from the pics, is there a tapper to the vats?
I guess a tapper is a pipe and valve. I'll have to research that or fake it as and when I get that far, Dave. I'm not above faking stuff, believe me...:/
#14

I also like photo 10 and I think it adds more interest. I am including a picture here of a water tank using cable ties that has been out on my layout for a couple of yearshttp://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/tripleb/_forumfiles/011.JPG

#15

Sorry picture is so large but you can get a good idea of the use of the cable ties

#16

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/kenbrunt/_forumfiles/011a.jpg)

Howzat?

#17
John Le Forestier said:
Dave Taylor said:
I really like the photo #10 look much better then the "boxcar " roof. I can't tell from the pics, is there a tapper to the vats?
I guess a tapper is a pipe and valve. I'll have to research that or fake it as and when I get that far, Dave. I'm not above faking stuff, believe me...:/
John,

I believe Dave wanted to know if your vats taper toward the top (smaller at the top than the bottom).

#18

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Upload11-14-800px.jpg)

#19

Bill and I go back several years now as online Railroad buds. Bill, it’s great to see you participating here on LSC! Thanks for your input - I gather those cable ties of yours are black, which would be great - I think I’ve only ever seen whitish/clear ones used, and I’ve never looked at them in a store; they sure don’t look very paintable to me either. I’ll be checking them out soon, as I said, I guess at Lowes… And Dave/Joe, the tanks are tapered, following the contour of those salmon tins.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/choochoo_chaboogie/Upload15-17-800px.JPG)

#20

As much as I really like your tanks… they ain’t worth eating the canned salmon to get. (nuthin but bones an bleah!).

Anyway, I found the wood ends for my tank car at Michael’s. They had 2-1/2" dia plywood discs a bit less than 1/8" thick for 29c each (cheap AND lazy, wotta combination!) might have been easier to score them without breaking, but you’d have needed to make the staves longer to hide them. (Not Mundy morning quarterbacking so much as trying to help anybody else considering making wood tanks)