A.C. Gilbert AF Steel Frame, Riveted, 1-dome Tank Cars

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

Produced through 1962 in two variations. One variation has a black platform while the other has a gray platform.

From their 1961 catalog.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Deep Rock Refining (DPRX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24320

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1960

Road Number(s):

24320

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This car has solid, non-operating couplers. These couplers were offered on just a few low-end cars produced by Gilbert around 1960, which did not have railings or ladders.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Deep Rock Refining (DPRX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24321

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1959

Road Number(s):

24321

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

The car was produced in three variations.
1. solid non-operating knuckle couplers, shiny handrails and ladders, flat-black finish.
2. operating knuckle couplers, flat-black handrails, shiny ladders, brake wheel, diamond markers, glossy-black finish.
3. operating knuckle couplers, glossy-black finish.

Original A.C. Gilbert print of the car for page 22 of the 1959 catalog.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Year/Era:

1953

Car Owner:

General American (GATX)

Lessee:

fantasy: Gilbert Chemicals

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

910

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1954

Road Number(s):

910

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Year/Era:

1954

Car Owner:

General American (GATX)

Lessee:

Baker's Chocolate

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24323

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1960

Road Number(s):

24323

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

The car was produced with either gray tank end (common) or white tank ends (rare).

The white-ends variation is shown in the background.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

General American (GATX)

Lessee:

Hooker Chemicals

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24324

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1959

Road Number(s):

24324

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

Produced in two variations.
1. 1959: one-part tank (molded orange with black painted center band), type II plastic frame, operating knuckle couplers, ladders, handrails, paper sticker of Hooker logo.
2. 1960: bottom part of tank is part of the frame (no black center band), type III plastic frame, operating knuckle couplers, painted Hooker logo (different from the other one).

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Gulf (GRCX, SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

625

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1951

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, Sep 2007, pg 30

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

There were three variations produced through 1953.
1. SEPX
2. GRCX
3. GRCX #625G, uncataloged.
All have weighted link couplers and diecast metal frames.

This photo shows the two main variations of the #625 cars.

This is a #625G example.

From their 1951 catalog.

The same tank was used in their #773 and their 1952 #768 accessories.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Gulf (GRCX, SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

925

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1952

Road Number(s):

5016

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

There were three variations produced through 1956.
1. 1952: riveted knuckle couplers (few with knuckle couplers), diecast frame.
2. 1953 - 56: diecast frame.
3. 1956: plastic frame.

The foreground model is the early 1952 one. The middle one is the 1953 through 1956 variant. The background model is the 1956 plastic frame variant.

From bottom to top, these are the same cars shown in the first photo from front to back.

Ted Hamler relettered a #925 to an SP&S Trumbull Asphalt car.

From their 1953 catalog.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Gulf (GRCX, SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24309

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1958

Road Number(s):

5016

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

These were produced through 1960 and have plastic frames with either solid, non-operating couplers, or the standard operating knuckle couplers.

Non-operating coupler in the back. Standard operating coupler in the front.

Original print of page 23 of the 1958 catalog, showing #24309.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Gulf (GRCX, SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24310

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1958

Road Number(s):

5016

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

These were produced through 1960 and have plastic frames with either solid, non-operating couplers, or the standard operating knuckle couplers.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Gulf (GRCX, SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24322

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1959

Road Number(s):

5016

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

Produced in three variations.
1. 1959: one-part tank, type II plastic frame, solid non-operating knuckle couplers.
2. 1959: one-part tank, type II plastic frame, solid non-operating knuckle couplers, ladders, handrails.
3. 1960: bottom part of tank is part of the frame, type III plastic frame, operating knuckle couplers.

This is an example of the second variation.

Original A.C. Gilbert print of the car for page 20 of the 1959 catalog.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Gulf (GRCX, SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24325

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1960

Road Number(s):

5016

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

There were five variations produced of this model.
1. Type II frame, solid non-operating couplers, single-part tank, no ladders, handrails, or markers.
2. Type II frame, PikeMaster couplers, single-part tank, ladders, handrails, and two markers.
3. Type III frame with bottom of tank, solid non-operating couplers, no ladders, handrails, or markers.
4. Type III frame with bottom of tank, PikeMaster couplers, ladders, handrails, and two diamond markers.
5. Type III frame with bottom of tank, solid, non-operating couplers, ladders, handrails, and one diamond marker.

This is an example of the first variation.

This is an example of the third variation.

This is an example of the fourth variation.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Hooker Chemicals

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24329

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1965

Road Number(s):

24329

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This model was produced through 1966 in three variations. Note that these have no car number printed on them.
1. 1961 - 1965: red tank, no lettering other than the Hooker ones.
2. 1965 - 66: orange tank without black band, handrails, ladders.
3. 1965 - 66: orange tank with black band, handrails, ladders.
4. 1965: orange tank without handrails, ladders, diamond markers.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Year/Era:

1951

Car Owner:

Koppers (KPCX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

912

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1955

Road Number(s):

912

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

These were produced through 1957. There were two variations produced. Initially, these had diecast frames. Late in the 1957 production, the cars came with plastic frames, which were also more detailed than the metal ones.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Year/Era:

1951

Car Owner:

Mobilgas (SOVX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24316

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1958

Road Number(s):

24316

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

There were 8 variations of this car produced between 1958 and 1966.
1. 1958 - 61: type II plastic frame, red-painted black shell, dated "4-51".
2. 1958 - 61: type II plastic frame, red-painted black shell, dated "4-57".
3. 1958 - 61: type II plastic frame, red-painted blue shell.
4. 1958 - 61: type II plastic frame, red-painted while shell.
5. 1960 - 61: type III plastic frame, tank blocking and bottom is part of frame, knuckle couplers, sintered-iron trucks.
6. 1965 - 66: type III plastic frame, tank blocking and bottom is part of frame, red-painted black shell, dated "4-51", Pike-Master trucks and couplers, "All Aboard" box.
7. 1965 - 66: type III plastic frame, tank blocking and bottom is part of frame, red-painted black shell, dated "4-57", Pike-Master trucks and couplers, "All Aboard" box.
8. 1965 - 66: type III plastic frame, tank blocking and bottom is part of frame, red-painted over a blue painted white shell, dated "4-51", Pike-Master trucks and couplers, "All Aboard" box.

This is an example of the first variation.

This is a mint-condition later variation. Note that the factory printed the lettering upside-down on the boxes.

From their 1961 catalog.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Pennsylvania Salt

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24319

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1958

Road Number(s):

24319

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Holt believes this is a reproduction car as the decals are in a different location and the trucks are different.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Shell (SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

625

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1946

Road Number(s):

8681

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, Nov 2007, pg 34

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

There are five models shown in these two photos.
1946 pre-production: orange with black letters, scale wheels (which caused derailments, which is why Gilbert moved to taller flanges), lettering showed "80,000lbs", Ted Hamler stated that there are only 4 of these in existence.
1946 production: orange with black letters, standard A.C. Gilbert wheels, fully plastic (which warps over time), "8,000lbs".
1946 production: black body with silver lettering, plastic (which warps).
1947 - 48: diecast frame (to eliminate warping), black body, white lettering.
1947 - 50: silver body, black lettering, produced in 4 variations.

The pre-production model is shown in the foreground, and the final production model is in the back. Most of the 1946 plastic cars warped over time due to the plastics available at the time.

The foreground model is the 1946 model. The middle one is the 1947 model with a metal frame.

This is a custom reproduction of what would have been the 1954 Celanese tank car with a tan and yellow paint scheme instead of the correct light green and yellow paint scheme. The car utilized a #625 Shell tank car, which was repainted, the link couplers were replaced with reproduction knuckle couplers that use split rivets to attach the coupler to the trucks. Note the orange TCA "Altered Sticker" on the bottom of the chassis.

From their 1946 catalog.

From their 1950 catalog.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

Shell (SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

24328

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1962

Road Number(s):

24328

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part:

Notes:

This car was produced through 1966 in four variations.
1. black frame, yellow-painted white tank, black ladder, no "Shell" (rare).
2. black frame, molded-yellow tank, brake wheels, handrails, ladders, one diamond marker.
3. black frame, molded-yellow tank, brake wheels, handrails, ladders, two diamond markers.
4. blue frame, molded-yellow tank, brake wheels, handrails, ladders, two diamond markers.

The foreground model is an example of the fourth variation. The background model is an example of the third variation.

Prototype Info

Car Type:

steel frame, riveted, 1-dome

Car Owner:

White Eagle Oil Corp (WEOX)

Lessee:

Mobilgas

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

958

Gauge:

AF

Year Introduced:

1957

Road Number(s):

958

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Magazine Article:

NASG Dispatch, Sep 2018, pg 31 (ACG tank car frames and couplers)

Magazine Article:

S Gaugian, May 2003, pg 18 (what the ACG tank car's real-world prototype is; includes scaled drawing)

Online Article:

Supplemental Part:

Supplemental Part: