Con-Cor - 0001-01601G - Tank Car, Single Dome, Taki 3000 - Tank Train

Model Information: This tank car is a regular inclusion in Kato freight starter sets. It also appears in mixed freight box sets. It is a nice model and sports low-profile chemically blackened wheels. The roof detail is excellent and these are durable and nice looking runners. The model (as explained to me by the Kato USA rep at the last ARS show I attended in January 2018) is of a Japanese prototype. Further research proved this is correct and that it is in fact a model of a Taki 3000 car from the late 1950s.

Despite the fact that it is a model of a Japanese JNR fright car, it has been used both by Kato and by Con-Cor to stand in for various North American prototypes carrying livery for everything from Domino Sugar to Amoco Oil

Prototype History: The Taki 3000 Tank Car was built in the period of 1947-1964 with 1,594 cars and operated all over Japan. It is specialized for loading gasoline. It was not imported for use in North America.

Road Name History: General American's TankTrain system of interconnecting tank cars provides shippers with a quick and cost-effective method of moving large volumes of bulk liquids. The TankTrain system consists of an entire string of cars that can be loaded or unloaded from a single System connection. The last car in each set (of 12 cars) is left 3/4 full. Then nitrogen gas (non-flammable, non-toxic) is used to purge the loading lines of any remaining oil which fills the last car.

The TankTrain System was first tested by the Alaska Railroad. The ARR purchased two sets of three that were linked together. They didn't stay that way though and eventually wound up as individual cars. Some ARR crew members felt they were more bother than they were worth. The cars had to be kept turned in a certain direction which wasn't always operationally easy. If one car was Bad Ordered then the whole string had to go in the shop. The ARR ceased using them in the late 1970s and they were all shipped to the lower 48. A much updated version of the TankTrain was later fielded for the Southern Pacific "Oilcan" that went from central California, over Tehachapi Pass, to Los Angeles. Later, the run went from Mojave to L.A.,

Brand/Importer Information: Con-Cor has been in business since 1962. Many things have changed over time as originally they were a complete manufacturing operation in the USA and at one time had upwards of 45 employees. They not only designed the models,but they also built their own molds, did injection molding, painting, printing and packaging on their models.

Currently, most of their manufacturing has been moved overseas and now they import 90% of their products as totally finished goods, or in finished components. They only do some incidental manufacturing today within the USA.

Important Note: The Con-Cor product numbering can be very confusing. Please see here in the article how to properly enter Con-Cor stock numbers in the TroveStar database.