An HO scale TrinityRail 31,000-gallon crude oil tank car is the first freight car in ScaleTrains.com’s Operator and Rivet Counter product lines. The ready-to-run injection-molded plastic models feature one-piece bodies with separately applied tank heads. The models are based on prototypes built by TrinityRail in 2014 to transport crude oil.
One car, two brands. As the photo below shows, there are noticeable differences between the Operator and higher-level Rivet Counter lines. The Operator line tank car has plastic head shields with integrated hazmat placards, solid plastic walkways, drill starter points for adding grab irons (sold separately), one-piece 110-ton trucks, and simplified printing.
The Rivet Counter car has etched-metal head shields, see-through metal walkways, factory-installed grab irons, multi-piece 110-ton trucks with rotating bearing caps that are painted blue, and more printing (simulated reflective stripes, corner sill data, and printed hazmat placards, among other items).
The white paint on both models is smooth and evenly applied, and the color-separation line on the black stripe is crisp. All of the printing is legible.
Tale of the tape. The Operator car weighs 4.9 ounces, which is spot on per National Model Railroad Association recommended practice 20.1. The Rivet Counter car weighs 5.3 ounces, which is .4 ounce too heavy. The die-cast metal ends on the Rivet Counter car account for the difference.
The Operator car has plastic Type E couplers, which are incorrect for modern tank cars. The Rivet Counter car is correctly equipped with metal type SE double- shelf couplers. Both couplers have coil knuckle springs. The couplers lack trip pins, so they’re not compatible with magnetic uncoupling ramps.
The scale 36″ code 110 metal wheels were correctly gauged on both cars. The distance between truck centers is a scale 45′-9″, and the distance over the strikers is a scale 57′-0″.
I tested both tank cars on our Wisconsin & Southern project layout. The cars rolled smoothly while being pulled and pushed in a train. The cars also navigated the Peco no. 5 turnouts flawlessly. The minimum recommended radius for the tank cars is 18″, but I think they look more realistic on a 22″ radius or broader curves.
Solid trains of crude oil tank cars are a common sight on today’s railroad. Whether you want a highly detailed version of the HO scale TrintyRail 31,000-gallon tank car, or one that’s a bit more basic, ScaleTrains.com has you covered.
Price: Rivet Counter – $38.99 (1-5 cars), $36.99 (6 to 11), and $35.99 (12 or more). Operator – $22.99 (1 to 5), $20.99 (6 to 11), and $19.99 (12 or more)
Manufacturer
ScaleTrains.com
7598 Highway 411
Benton, TN 37307
www.scaletrains.com
Era: 2014 to present
Road names: First run – Deep Rock Refining Co. and Trinity Industries Leasing Co. Second run – General American (half ladder in Rivet Counter line, full ladder in Operator line), and Valero Marketing & Supply. Undecorated (half and full ladder) offered in Rivet Counter line only.
Features
▪▪Correctly gauged, code 110 ( .110″ tread) metal wheels
▪▪Injection-molded plastic body with separate end caps
▪▪Type E plastic couplers (Operator): .030″ low on both ends
▪▪Type SE double-shelf coupler (Rivet Counter), .030″ low on A end
▪▪Weight: Operator, 4.9 ounces; Rivet Counter, 5.3 ounces
