Niagara Alkali Company O Gauge RailKing Wooden Tank Car - 19th Century

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. Before that, however, all-wood tank cars brought drinking and locomotive water to arid areas, supplying construction crews for the transcontinental railway and settlements along the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Even after steel tanks became common, wood tanks remained in use for water and some foods. French railroads shipped wine in wood tank cars. Vinegar, which was caustic to metal tanks, was shipped in wood tank cars by H.J. Heinz and other vinegar distillers from the late 1800s well into the 20th century. Based on a Heinz prototype, our model represents a typical late 19th century wood tank car with metal truss rods and arch bar trucks.

High quality, traditionally sized RailKing Freight Cars provide detailed bodies and colorful paint schemes for the O Gauge railroader. MTH makes an enormous variety of RailKing Freight Cars, including many different car types and roadnames. No matter what era or part of the country you are modeling, RailKing is sure to have something for you.