Athearn Trains HO and N high-pressure gas tank cars

With a scale length of 64′-6″, these new models from Athearn are typical of the large, insulated, pressure tank cars built to carry 33,900 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This hydrocarbon fuel is shipped under pressure to prevent evaporation. These big pressure tank cars also transport other liquefied products with similar densities.
   
Tank cars are sized to carry the maximum volume of a commodity without exceeding the 263,000-pound weight limit for freight cars. Athearn’s new models represent three 33,900-gallon pressure tank cars built by the Union Tank Car Co. during the past 20 years. All three versions are in regular service.

Athearn’s flat-sided 105J300W model with end ladders represents a prototype built during the 1990s and early 2000s. This car has extra insulation, so the flat side panels keep it within the Plate C clearances on curves.

The “early” 112J340W model with end ladders is a prototype built in the mid-1990s. It has thinner insulation so it doesn’t exceed Plate C.

Athearn’s “late” 112J340W car with an offset access platform and side ladders is the newest, with prototypes built from the late 1990s until about a year ago.  

Athearn’s HO and N models share similar construction features, and each car has a different styrene tank shell with a curved steel weight concealed inside. Three different sets of ends complete the tanks. The stub end sills are die-cast metal, and the cars have see-through etched-metal platforms, molded ladders, and wire grab irons.
 
The tops of the tanks have etched-metal running boards and platforms with formed wire railings. The lower sides have wire safety bars. The detailed brake systems have molded levers and wire brake rods and piping.  

Our sample HO cars ride on rigid-frame, 100-ton roller bearing trucks. These trucks have machined metal wheelsets with RP-25 profile wheels and needlepoint axles. They’re free rolling and match the National Model Railroad Association’s (NMRA) standards gauge.

Our sample HO cars weighed 5½ ounces each, which matches the NMRA’s Recommend Practice 20.1. The N scale models weigh only 1 ounce, which is a ¼ ounce light.     

A recent federal regulation requiring reflectorized delineators (markings) took effect in October 2005. It requires all new or rebuilt cars to be marked with the delineators. Athearn is offering some of each car type with delineators.  

Overall, these LPG pressure tank cars are excellent models of their prototypes.

Prices: HO, $34.98 or $35.98 each; N scale, $22.98 each       

Manufacturer:
Athearn Trains
2883 E, Spring St., Suite 100
Long Beach, CA 90806
www.athearn,com
 
HO and N road names (multiple car numbers in each paint scheme): General American Transportation
Co. (GATX); Procor (black and white), two versions; Union Tank Car Corp. (UTLX), six versions; undecorated, three body styles

Era: 1990s to present

HO features:

• Assembled and ready-to-run
• Body-mounted McHenry AAR
• double-shelf couplers
• Die-cast metal end frame
• Factory installed wire grab irons
• Minimum radius 22″
• Photo-etched end platforms and running boards
• RP-25 metal wheels (in gauge)
• Smooth paint and clear lettering so the smallest data is readable
• Weight: 5½ ounces

N features:

• Assembled and ready-to-run
• Minimum radius 11″
• Photo-etched platforms and wire details
• Smooth paint and clear lettering
• Truck-mounted McHenry Type E knuckle-spring couplers
• Weight: 1 ounce (¼ ounce low)