New San Juan Conoco Tank Car Review

[Mike Trent]

Greetings, many thanks to Dr Bob Stears for sending me four of the brand new and long awaited On3 Conoco tank cars to review, and provide a sneak peek of them. These will also be available in HOn3. The On3 cars come with 30" gauge wheelsets.

As the attached photos will attest, they are beautiful, and are exactly what we had hoped they would be. These particular sample models are all numbered #35, but Bob assures me that there are actually nine different numbers that are available in the production run. All are identical except for the lettering, which was redone every five years or so.

These cars were assembled in Alamosa, at the D&RGW shops, in 1926 and 1927. Several were sent to the C&S, several were used on the D&RGW. The earliest version is the 1927, identified below. The second version is listed as 1930, the third as 1935, and the fourth as 1940, although #35 was already black in 1937.

The numbers of the cars to be available are, 21,22,23,26,27,30,33,35, and 36. The only ones confirmed to have been used of this series on the C&S are 22,30, and 35.

The only difference between the cars I know of is that #35 was fitted with outside brake beams in the silver 1935 scheme, and the brake staff was relocated. Those will be easy conversions, if you prefer. The cost of producing those details for one car was understandably prohibitive.

As has been the case with previous San Juan kits and RTR runs, there are issues with the wheelsets being in, or holding gauge. I always check each wheel set and tack the axle joint with a small drop of acc.

These models are equipped with Evolution couplers. I always convert them to be compatible with the old brass dummy couplers I used on my original rolling stock back in the age of dinosaurs. But if you like them as they are, they are ready to go.

The airhoses drop a little low, and need to be straightened out a bit to clear the rails. I believe they are derlyn and are pretty durable.

The cars appear to be properly weighted.

The paint and lettering are perfect, to my eye. All detailing looks equally perfect, and faithful to Bob's excellent drawings.

I will post a picture in the near future of at least one of these cars layout ready for my roster.

Any C&S modeler in the post 1926 period should have one or more of the fantastic models. Surely there would have been overlapping lettering schemes, so variety is not only possible, but encouraged. Same for our D&RGW brethren. Pricing is on the website, about $109 for On3, about $89 for HOn3. Well worth the price!

https://sanjuanmodelco.com

1935 and 1940:


1927 and 1930:


Side view, what a beauty!!

[pizlinard72]

Thank you Mike
The cars look very nice. I look forward to mine.
Question: How many cars were usually in one train? Any guidelines for a correct consist?
Best, Christian

[Mike Trent]

I have returned the other three #35 Conoco tank cars, and have worked a bit to bring my #35 to layout ready condition. At least layout ready on my layout. I have added a couple other comments referred to in my first post for clarification. San Juan is expecting the balance of these cars in their Arvada shop in the first week of October. I'm sure they will sell fast, so plan accordingly! This car is empty, consigned in this train by Conoco for advertising purposes! (In memory of Neal Miller)

3/4 view showing coupler without the uncoupling rod, note that the air hose is turned to allow clearance above the rails.



Side view which shows the blackened steel wheel rims from the factory, which did not require paint TouchUp. All four wheelsets were in perfect gauge, but I did secure the axle centers with acc.



A view of the #35 "in train", showing off the tall dome, just as it should be:

[pizlinard72]

These cars certainly have character.