Al's Kustom Train Kars - NATX 28251 - Tank Car, Single Dome, 50 Foot - White House - 28251

Model Information: This is a fairly nice quality tank car from MDC Roundhouse. It likely first appeared in the late 1980s. It appears to model a general service tank car and the road names and paint schemes seem to suggest this is what MDC had in mind. The Roundhouse models were available in both kit and RTR packaging. It doesn't have a ton of detail. Most versions were released with Rapido Couplers so it therefore qualifies as a late 1st generation model. Nevertheless, once the couplers are swapped out, it will look just fine on even the most modern of layouts due to the high print quality and molding on this model. Like all other N Scale toolings made by MDC Roundhouse, this one was acquired by Athearn in 2006. Eastern Seaboard Models has also sold these in custom paint schemes.

Prototype History: Larger, 50' Tank cars replaced their smaller predecessors in the late 1960s and 1970s. The Richmond Tank Car Company was one of several manufacturers to produce these general purpose railcars. They generally had about 20,000 gallon capacity and were used to transport many different commodities.

Road Name History: White House Foods is a family owned company located in Winchester, VA. We have been processing apples and making quality apple products Since 1908. With a strong heritage and generations of traditions we take pride in expanding our orchards for the next generations.

Board, Armstrong and Company originated on the waterfront of Alexandria, VA by the founders Frank Armstrong Sr. and B. Fleet. In August, the original loads of NY State vinegar were repackaged. In 1909 the first plant in Alexandria, VA was built. Frank Armstrong Sr. organized National Fruit Product Company, Inc. on March 1, 1909. The young company began marketing its vinegar in glass packages which consumers enjoyed. In 1918, a second vinegar plant was built in Winchester, VA close to the local apple orchards in the area and the company began processing other apple products. Improving upon known methods by increasing from four pounds of apples to over six pounds in a #10 can. Another vinegar plant was opened in Martinsburg, West Virginia followed by a fourth plant in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1921. In July of 1925, the Alexandria plant was transferred to the Winchester plant.

Brand/Importer Information: Al's Kustom Train Kars was a model train decorator from 1983 to 2004. They ceased customizing N Scale trains in 2004, but continued business under the same name though unrelated to model trains (on-line shop still available on eBay).