I am planning an Asphalt plant using as a base for kit bashing the HO Walthers Black Gold Asphalt kit, its one of my many uses of HO industrial kits due to lack of availability in N. What I am curious about is who has a tank car the closest to what would be used for loads in to this plant, I assume they are insulated and probably rivetted but as far as size and filling area details I have no clue. I am looking for something "close" to suffice until I have time for a thorough research and "bash" but would be nice if someone makes or made what I need. Further I plan to use smoke units in the plant and under the "parked" cars to give the impression of unloading. Any help would be appreciated! Vandy
I believe these are single dome 50' insulated cars. They will have fittings for a live steam hook-up to liquify the asphalt also. And from memory most have a catwalk all the way arround the dome. We have an asphalt plant here in twon, I'll have to take a closer look next time I go past.....Mike
If you are modeling present day, you might consider the new Atlas 17,500 gallon cars. Asphalt is quite heavy, in addition to requiring steam to load and unload.
Well the Atlas cars are insulated but my only question is are the filling domes as large as they are on an asphalt car? I was thinking they were larger. The new Atlas car looks atleast like a good starting point, as its a lot easier to change the dome than it is to produce the end detail on a insulated car. I have some brass tank cars I would love to use, as the asphalt plant will be on the top level (eye level) of my layout and at the front so its in prime view) but they are non-insulated and wouldn't "look" right. Vandy Also when stem is used to liquify the asphalt where is it pumped? I assume it is pumped in the top. So would that mean two hoses hooked to the top during filling and unloading?
What era are you modeling? The tanks I have seen around my neck of the woods, don't have very large domes. They look alot like the new Atlas tanks coming out. Are you building a refinery and loading industry. Or a unloading site. The reason I ask is, a loading site would have alot of building and pipes running around the area. A unloading site would be a siding with pipes and a railroad to truck loading point. Model Railroader had a article on this a few years back. When I get home tonight, I will see if I can locate the magazine. You also mention about how they unload the tank cars. They use steam to heat the tar and to build up pressure to force the tar out. This all done from the bottom of the car. Hope I have helped a little.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by M. Gilmore: Model Railroader had a article on this a few years back. When I get home tonight, I will see if I can locate the magazine. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Model Railroader, February 1994
