O Nourse Motor Oil Tank Car

The tank car was relatively uncommon until the 1870s, when the
nascent petroleum industry ordered large quantities of metal tanks
carried on wooden car bodies. By the early 1900s, a standard design had
evolved that lasted throughout the steam and early diesel eras: an
8,000-11,000 gallon metal tank perched on a metal flatcar-like
underframe.

The one big change during that time was the transition from
riveted to welded construction, beginning in the late 1930s. Car
builders introduced X-ray inspection of welds to ensure safety, as well
as giant annealing ovens that could heat-treat assembled tanks to
relieve joint stress. Welded tanks were stronger, less susceptible to
rust and corrosion, and less likely to rupture in the event of a wreck.

At the same time as steam engines were disappearing, another
innovation completely changed the appearance of tank cars. Beginning in
the mid-1950s, a new design took hold: the tank itself became the
structural backbone of the car, eliminating the need for a full-length
underframe and making bigger tank diameters possible. Short “stub”
underframes were used at each end as attachment points for the trucks
and couplers.

More recently, tank cars have been required to have “double
shelf” couplers designed to stay coupled in the event of a wreck, to
minimize the potential for a coupler to puncture an adjacent car.
Today’s large-capacity tank cars carry a tremendous variety of liquids
from oil to chemicals to foodstuffs. Tanks may be lined with glass or
other materials in order to carry corrosive liquids, and may have
heating or cooling apparatus to protect cargos that are sensitive to
temperature extremes.

MTH Premier O Scale freight cars are the perfect complement to
any manufacturer’s scale proportioned O Gauge locomotives. Whether you
prefer to purchase cars separately or assemble a unit train, MTH
Premier Rolling Stock has the cars for you in a variety of car types
and paint schemes.

Virtually every sturdy car is offered in two car numbers which
makes it even easier than ever to combine them into a mult-car consist.
Many of MTH’s Premier Rolling Stock offerings can also operate on the
tightest O Gauge curves giving them even more added versatitlity to
your layout.