A.C. Gilbert Shell (SEPX) Steel Frame, Riveted, 1-dome Tank Cars

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:

Year Introduced:

1951

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

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:

More Photos

Supplemental Part:

Brake Wheel Stands

Supplemental Part:

Dome Platform

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:

Shell (SEPX)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

625

Gauge:

Year Introduced:

1946

Road Number(s):

8681

Product Type:

plastic & metal

Finish:

painted & lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

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:

More Photos

Supplemental Part:

Brake Wheel Stands

Supplemental Part:

Dome Platform

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.