GATX TankTrainer

[Rscott417]

I've been kicking around the idea of modeling in HO scale the GATX TankTrainer with the "school house" boxcar. I'm looking for any advice or insight on how to build this duo. I'm really not concerned about making an exact replica but getting it close enough to the real thing. I don't know a lot about this train but I'll list a few of the points and/or concerns I'm interested in.
1) what tank car would be a good base to start with. The prototype has these offset car ends that I'm willing to overlook.
2) what colors for the 2 tone paint scheme?
3) the tank car has 2 hoses that attach to the boxcar, what are they used for and how can they be modeled?
4) the tank car has numerous variations of domes and outlet valves, are these commercially available parts?
5) both sides of the tank car has a door to access the inside, I'm thinking some sort of door from a tugboat looks pretty accurate. Thoughts?
6) there's a walkway on the tank car that would need to be scratchbuilt
7) the boxcar would need the other end of the 2 hoses attached to it
8) it looks like the boxcar has windows but they might be fake, anyone know?
9) the end of the boxcar that the hoses attach to have vents near the end of the car, I'm assuming a generator? I would need some different size vents.

I think that's everything that I'd be interested in including for this train so let me know your thoughts and tips.

[Sumpter250]

The doors on the side of the tank, would lead me to believe that the hoses between the tank and the box car are for ventilation.
I would assume that part of the training, teaches the interior construction of the tank, and provides a view of the domes, for whatever reason, from inside the tank.
Understand, this is just a logical guess on my part.

[Rscott417]

I'd say that's a good logical guess Sumpter, I have no clue what the hoses are for so any guesses are valued guesses.

I'm thinking I could use this tank car as a base, it has one hose already and if I get the part numbers I'm sure I can order another one from Athearn.

[Sumpter250]

That looks like an excellent place to start. Looking forward to progress photos, this could be interesting and educational.
"the tank car has numerous variations of domes and outlet valves, are these commercially available ?"
As far as extra parts: you might see if your local hobby shop sells used rolling stock. You might be able to get parts from some old tank cars for this project, and have some "kit bashing" material, for another project.

[JaBear]

An interesting project.

A link to photos inside the tank and the class room. Unfortunately it isn't clear if those are actual windows.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gatx.com/wps/wcm/connect/GATX/GATX_SITE/Home/Safety/Training/">http://www.gatx.com/wps/wcm/connect/GAT ... /Training/</a><!-- m -->

And just to confuse the issue it would appear that Boxcar GATX 1898 has undergone several alterations during its life as a school room.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pwrr.org/prototype/mow/tank_trainer.html">http://www.pwrr.org/prototype/mow/tank_trainer.html</a><!-- m -->

And this thread from another forum mentions the flexible ventilation hoses.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,1444503">http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... ?1,1444503</a><!-- m -->

EDIT. I'm really not concerned about making an exact replica but getting it close enough to the real thing.
I'd think that the variations with the boxcar would actually make it easier to achieve your goal.
Have Fun,
Cheers, the Bear.

[Catt]

This looks like a cool project that anybody modeling a fairly modern to today railroad (both proto & freelance) could use on their layouts.

[Rscott417]

Really great links Bear thank you. I'm going to go ahead and say the hoses are for ventilation but simulate the hoses found on the GATX tank train unit trains. The windows on the boxcar are fake because the newer blue version has none and the older red one with the black reporting marks are clearly painted on. I hope these are accurate assumptions. Thanks again everyone

[JaBear]

Just as a note and on slim evidence, it would appear that the ventilation hoses are only connected while the tank trainer is in use.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Z0FNVCK7g">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2Z0FNVCK7g</a><!-- m -->

I think that you're right about the windows, though to be pedantic I 'd suggest from one of my links that the small door did have a window at one time, not that it matters in the greater scheme of things.
Cheers, the Bear.

[Rscott417]

In the photos I've seen of them (which aren't a lot) where they appear to be in a consist the hoses are connected, but like you said slim evidence. I haven't looked much into the newer blue cars because they wouldn't fit my era of interest, but maybe procedures changed for them in transit. I'll keep them connected though I think it'll give them more appeal..maybe..