Atlas Model Railroad Co. Product Review

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This review was taken from the May, 2000 issue of Model Railroad News and is reproduced with permission of Lamplight Publishing, Merlin, OR.

Atlas ACF 23,500 gallon tank car

Review by Stuart R. Thayer

Once again, Atlas has stepped up to give HO scale modelers greatly sought after contemporary tank cars. In this case, it is the American Car & Foundry, 23,500 gallon Insulated Straight Barrel tank car.

This particular type of tank car was manufactured by ACF at their Milton, Pennsylvania facility from the late 1960s, through the early 1990s. This particular design of tank car was built in very large numbers for both private owners and ACF’s own lease fleet, ACFX. These were in turn leased to still more private operators. This resulted in a wide array of road names and paint schemes that are applicable to this model. In the early 1990s, the design was modified to a Tip-Tank design that has a bottom slope much like that of a Funnel Flow tank car design.

The wide appeal of this tank car design is largely due to its versatility. Commodities commonly carried in these cars include: asphalt, Ethanol, gasoline, vegetable oil, and other hazardous and non-hazardous substances. For an overview of the prototype for this model, and a complete roster, I highly recommend the article in the November, 1999 issue of RailModel Journal by Edward Kaminski. The article also includes several photos of various roadnames for these cars, many of which were done by Atlas.

As stated earlier, the Atlas model represents an ACF, 23,500 gallon Insulated tank car. However, as with any contemporary tank car design, there were a great many possible variations in construction. One major variation witnessed on these cars is the method of construction of the tank itself. It appears that there were at least three variations. The model represents a ten segment, nine seam version. In addition, there were also eight segment/seven seam, and twelve segment/eleven seam versions.

It appears that eight segment/seven seam version was the more common of the three. The prototypes for a number of the actual paint schemes and roadnumbers are offered on the Atlas model are pictured in the RailModel Journal article, with each having eight segments and seven seams. However, the model is still a credible representation of this style of tank car.

The overall detailing of the car is consistent with what we have come to expect from Atlas-first rate in all areas. Some of the outstanding features include a completely detailed brake system, very nice side ladders, and well done railings and walkways. Another critical area that is very well done is the cluster of details on the top of the tank.

This cluster includes the Manway, bottom outlet handle and safety valve. All other details, including the bottom outlet on the underside of the care, are exceptional.

As with other Atlas offerings, this model comes ready-to-run with Kadee compatible knuckle style couplers. Each car weighs in at a hefty 5 oz. This, combined with Atlas’ extremely free rolling trucks and metal wheelsets, means that these cars will glide effortlessly on your model railroad. In fact, these cars will find any and all grades on your layout-no matter how slight they may be!

Another facet of the tank car models (that has become standard on all Atlas HO freight car models) is the high quality paint and lettering. I examined five sample cars under extreme magnification. I was amazed at the level of precise detail in the lettering and the clarity that was achieved-even with the tiniest of lettering. To give an example, the Chemical Emergency stickers have all the appropriate verbiage, including the company names and phone numbers. Some of the lettering on these models cannot be read with the naked eye, but only under magnification. I find this to be simply amazing. Based on photos from the Edward Kaminski article referred to earlier, the paint and lettering schemes on these models is as accurate as it is precise. Currently, Atlas is offering this model decorated for GAF Corporation, Honeymead, Amoco, Mobil, Reilly Industries, and Republic Car Line, each in two roadnumbers. Atlas is also offering an undecorated version.

Any HO modelers of the late 1960s through the present day needs a fair quantity of these new Atlas tank car models. I say this for two reasons. First, this is a very common car that can be found throughout the country. Second, these models are awesome!