O / Proto48 Helium Car – Solid / Friction Bearing Trucks (Limited Production)
$199.95
O / Proto48 Scale Helium Car Tank Car Kit with Solid/Friction Bearing Trucks. Due to the amount of printing time and preparation, this kit is very limited in the number of kits produced. The only difference between the O and Proto48 kits is the selection of the trucks. O scale has the standard Intermountain wheelset at 5′ gauge and the Proto48 has Protocraft wheelsets at 4′ 8 1/2″ gauge. Also, Atlas trucks with couplers available for 3-rail layouts. Select the appropriate trucks when ordering.
This offering is for the kit, not the built model shown in some of the photos. The kit is based upon the Third Generation “Navy” helium tank car built by GATX in 1942 and 1943. The kit design started from the ground up by creating new 100T ACF clasp brake trucks, not available anywhere else. Then creating the car with the help of Jay Miller and Pat Bray, both helium car experts with many online articles and reference material.
Possible car configurations as I see them (decals will support these versions):
1942-1955 USNX: Battleship Gray all over with black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction bearing trucks with clasp brakes. Note: All cars converted from USNX to MHAX or 7 for ATMX in June-July 1955.
1955-1964 MHAX or ATMX: Battleship Gray all over except with Aluminum painted tanks. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction or Roller bearing trucks (not available) with clasp brakes. Note: all cars were MHAX by 1964.
1964-1972 MHAX: Aluminum painted all over. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction or Roller bearing trucks (not available) with clasp brakes.
1972-1998 MHAX: Aluminum painted all over. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Roller bearing trucks (not available) (required in 1972) with clasp brakes. No roof walk, shortened side and non-brake end ladders (match side length) (fill in holes). Brake end ladder and brake wheel location did not change.
The kit features the following:
- Complete New Design Using Factory Drawings and Photos provided by Jay Miller
- New Correct 100T ACF Solid/Friction Bearing Trucks with Clasp Brakes
- Proto48 trucks have the journals extended inward and fit the included Protocraft wheelsets
- Trucks are printed with a special heavy duty resin that allows flexibility to spread for installing the wheelsets without being brittle.
- Model has 30 Tube Tanks, like the prototype
- Correct Tank End Taper using factory drawing, not just a pencil sharpener version
- Framing visible below tanks due to no flooring
- Dual Underframe Brake Systems
- Separate ladders for added realism and printed with the same special resin as the trucks
- Wire Grab Irons with predrilled holes included
- Hinge and Rivet Details
- Unique Car End Details to include Door Latching Equipment
- Correct Coupler Height with KaDee Couplers included
- Can be used for 1940s to 1970s versions of the car with instructions on how to model newer versions
- Kit includes Car, Wood Style Roof Walk, Grab Irons, Ajax Brake Wheel, 33″ Wheels, KaDee Couplers, and K4 Decals
- Easy to build, you should only need glue, and paint
- No need to add weight
Finally, if you need help on deciding how to model in your era, send me a message and I will try to help you. I have included some historical reference charts in photo section that are my primary reference source. Also, included in the instructions, are my educated guess for possible car configurations based upon the era you want to model.
Comments from others:
Jay Miller
“I am moved beyond words at the execution of this project Greg. As far as I can tell at first glance it is as near perfect as could be. Never in my wildest dreams while I was doing all the research did I ever imagine received fruits of this vintage!
Thank you and congratulations as I know how many many hours of work and dedication you put into this project!”
J.D.
“I received the Helium car kit today. Of course, I had to open the kit and examine it. It looks great in every respect! Thanks for all the work you did to design, print, and distribute this kit.”
J.B.
“Have yet to build, but am impressed by the quality of the print and the completeness of the additional parts.”
Explanation of Cost:
Some of you might question the high cost of each kit. Most model kits are produced by injection molding. In order to get the molds, it costs tens of thousands of dollars to get the molds and then the cost is spread out over thousands of kits. Once the molds are done, the actual cost of the kit to produce is low and the time is fast.
With 3D resin printing, each kit is individually produced and takes several hours of time, this kit takes around 55 hours of printing each. Plus, each part has to be cleaned of excess resin, removing the support structure required for the printing and final curing (See last photo of a fresh print dripping in resin). After adding all of my actual expenses per kit and fees, I only make a small amount per kit and it does account for my time or the thousand of dollars I spent to get the kit developed. So, I am not making much off each kit. I hope this helps explain the cost. When I started, I was thinking that the cost would be a lot less, but reality struck.
This is a complete kit with decals, unique trucks, wheels, and couplers which is part of the cost. The instuctions cover tips on how to build the model to represent most eras from 1942 to mid 1970s. The builder only needs to provide glue and paint.
| Weight | 27 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12 × 9 × 3 in |
| Truck Style | O Scale Standard Solid Bearing Truck, Proto48 Solid Bearing Truck, Atlas 3-Rail Coupler Mounted Truck |
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HO Helium Car – Both Truck Types
$119.95 – $404.95Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageHO Scale (1/87th) Helium Tank Car Kit with a choice of Both Truck Types in various combinations along with number of kits. This offering is for the kit, not the built model shown in some of the photos. The kit is based upon the Third Generation “Navy” helium tank car built by GATX in 1942 and 1943. The kit design started from the ground up by creating new 100T ACF clasp brake trucks, not available anywhere else. Then creating the car with the help of Jay Miller and Pat Bray, both helium car experts with many online articles and reference material.
Possible car configurations as I see them (decals will support these versions):
1942-1955 USNX: Battleship Gray all over with black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction bearing trucks with clasp brakes. Note: All cars converted from USNX to MHAX or 7 for ATMX in June-July 1955.
1955-1964 MHAX or ATMX: Battleship Gray all over except with Aluminum painted tanks. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction or Roller bearing trucks with clasp brakes. Note: all cars were MHAX by 1964.
1964-1972 MHAX: Aluminum painted all over. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction or Roller bearing trucks with clasp brakes.
1972-1998 MHAX: Aluminum painted all over. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Roller bearing trucks (required in 1972) with clasp brakes. No roof walk, shortened side and non-brake end ladders (match side length) (fill in holes). Brake end ladder and brake wheel location did not change.
The kit features the following:
- Complete New Design Using Factory Drawings and Photos provided by Jay Miller
- New Correct 100T ACF Trucks with Clasp Brakes
- Model has 30 Tube Tanks, like the prototype, not flat plates with bumps that AHM and Brass models use
- Correct Tank End Taper using factory drawing, not just a pencil sharpener version
- Framing visible below tanks due to no flooring
- Dual Underframe Brake Systems
- Separate ladders for added realism
- Wire Grab Irons with predrilled holes included
- Hinge and Rivet Details
- Unique Car End Details to include Door Latching Equipment
- Correct Coupler Height with KaDee #148 Couplers included
- Can be used for 1940s to 1990s versions of the car with instructions on how to model newer versions
- Two Versions of the Model shown in the photos, one as delivered to the Navy and the other latter MHAX version without Roof Walk
- Decals by K4 provided with the kit for all versions of the car
- Kit includes Car, Wood Style Roof Walk, Grab Irons, KaDee Ajax Brake Wheel, Trucks, 33″ Intermountain Wheels, KaDee #148 Couplers, and Decals
- Easy to build, you should only need glue, and paint
- No need to add weight, kit is on the heavy side of the NMRA recommended weight (4.5 oz)
Finally, if you need help on deciding how to model in your era, send me a message and I will try to help you. I have included some historical reference charts in photo section that are my primary reference source. Also, included in the instructions, are my educated guess for possible car configurations based upon the era you want to model.
Comments from others:
Jay Miller
“I am moved beyond words at the execution of this project Greg. As far as I can tell at first glance it is as near perfect as could be. Never in my wildest dreams while I was doing all the research did I ever imagine received fruits of this vintage!
Thank you and congratulations as I know how many many hours of work and dedication you put into this project!”
J.D.
“I received the Helium car kit today. Of course, I had to open the kit and examine it. It looks great in every respect! Thanks for all the work you did to design, print, and distribute this kit.”
J.B.
“Have yet to build, but am impressed by the quality of the print and the completeness of the additional parts. This is SOOOO much better than the ancient AHM offering.”
Explanation of Cost:
Some of you might question the high cost of each kit. Most model kits are produced by injection molding. In order to get the molds, it costs tens of thousands of dollars to get the molds and then the cost is spread out over thousands of kits. Once the molds are done, the actual cost of the kit to produce is low and the time is fast.
With 3D resin printing, each kit is individually produced and takes several hours of time, this kit takes around 12 hours of printing each. Plus, each part has to be cleaned of excess resin, removing the support structure required for the printing and final curing (See last photo of a fresh print dripping in resin). After adding all of my actual expenses per kit and fees, I only make a small amount per kit and it does account for my time or the thousand of dollars I spent to get the kit developed. So, I am not making much off each kit. I hope this helps explain the cost. When I started, I was thinking that the cost would be a lot less, but reality struck.
This is a complete kit with decals, unique trucks, wheels, and couplers which is part of the cost. The instuctions cover tips on how to build the model to represent most eras from 1942 to mid 1990s. The builder only needs to provide glue and paint.
[caption id="attachment_45" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Helium Tank Car Modeling Years[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_41" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Helium Car detailed build information[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_149" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
HO Kit parts refresh out of the printer dripping in resin.[/caption]
NOTE: If you cannot get the below options to work correctly, select “Clear” next to the options and start at the top.
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S Scale Helium Car – Solid / Friction Bearing Trucks
$139.95Add to cartS Scale (1/64th) Helium Tank Car Kit with Solid/Friction Bearing Trucks. This offering is for the kit, not the built model shown in some of the photos (some of the photos are of HO scale version). The kit is based upon the Third Generation “Navy” helium tank car built by GATX in 1942 and 1943. The kit design started from the ground up by creating new 100T ACF clasp brake trucks, not available anywhere else. Then creating the car with the help of Jay Miller and Pat Bray, both helium car experts with many online articles and reference material.
Possible car configurations as I see them (decals will support these versions):
1942-1955 USNX: Battleship Gray all over with black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction bearing trucks with clasp brakes. Note: All cars converted from USNX to MHAX or 7 for ATMX in June-July 1955.
1955-1964 MHAX or ATMX: Battleship Gray all over except with Aluminum painted tanks. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction or Roller bearing trucks (not available) with clasp brakes. Note: all cars were MHAX by 1964.
1964-1972 MHAX: Aluminum painted all over. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Solid/Friction or Roller bearing trucks (not available) with clasp brakes.
1972-1998 MHAX: Aluminum painted all over. Black trucks, ladders, steps, and grab irons. Roller bearing trucks (not available) (required in 1972) with clasp brakes. No roof walk, shortened side and non-brake end ladders (match side length) (fill in holes). Brake end ladder and brake wheel location did not change.
The kit features the following:
- Complete New Design Using Factory Drawings and Photos provided by Jay Miller
- New Correct 100T ACF Solid/Friction Bearing Trucks with Clasp Brakes
- Trucks are printed with a special heavy duty resin that allows flexibility to spread for installing the wheelsets without being brittle.
- Model has 30 Tube Tanks, like the prototype
- Correct Tank End Taper using factory drawing, not just a pencil sharpener version
- Framing visible below tanks due to no flooring
- Dual Underframe Brake Systems
- Separate ladders for added realism and printed with the same special resin as the trucks
- Wire Grab Irons with predrilled holes included
- Hinge and Rivet Details
- Unique Car End Details to include Door Latching Equipment
- Correct Coupler Height with KaDee Couplers included
- Can be used for 1940s to 1970s versions of the car with instructions on how to model newer versions
- Kit includes Car, Wood Style Roof Walk, Grab Irons, Ajax Brake Wheel, 33″ Wheels, KaDee Couplers, and K4 Decals
- Easy to build, you should only need glue, and paint
- No need to add weight
Finally, if you need help on deciding how to model in your era, send me a message and I will try to help you. I have included some historical reference charts in photo section that are my primary reference source. Also, included in the instructions, are my educated guess for possible car configurations based upon the era you want to model.
Comments from others:
Jay Miller
“I am moved beyond words at the execution of this project Greg. As far as I can tell at first glance it is as near perfect as could be. Never in my wildest dreams while I was doing all the research did I ever imagine received fruits of this vintage!
Thank you and congratulations as I know how many many hours of work and dedication you put into this project!”
J.D.
“I received the Helium car kit today. Of course, I had to open the kit and examine it. It looks great in every respect! Thanks for all the work you did to design, print, and distribute this kit.”
J.B.
“Have yet to build, but am impressed by the quality of the print and the completeness of the additional parts.”
Explanation of Cost:
Some of you might question the high cost of each kit. Most model kits are produced by injection molding. In order to get the molds, it costs tens of thousands of dollars to get the molds and then the cost is spread out over thousands of kits. Once the molds are done, the actual cost of the kit to produce is low and the time is fast.
With 3D resin printing, each kit is individually produced and takes several hours of time, this kit takes around 21 hours of printing each. Plus, each part has to be cleaned of excess resin, removing the support structure required for the printing and final curing (See last photo of a fresh print dripping in resin). After adding all of my actual expenses per kit and fees, I only make a small amount per kit and it does account for my time or the thousand of dollars I spent to get the kit developed. So, I am not making much off each kit. I hope this helps explain the cost. When I started, I was thinking that the cost would be a lot less, but reality struck.
This is a complete kit with decals, unique trucks, wheels, and couplers which is part of the cost. The instuctions cover tips on how to build the model to represent most eras from 1942 to mid 1970s. The builder only needs to provide glue and paint.
[caption id="attachment_45" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Helium Tank Car Modeling Years[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_41" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Helium Car detailed build information[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_149" align="aligncenter" width="640"] HO Kit parts refresh out of the printer dripping in resin.[/caption]
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HO 100 Ton ACF Roller Bearing Clasp Brake Trucks
$14.95 – $46.95Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThis is for a pair of HO scale 100 Ton ACF Roller Bearing clasp brake trucks specifically designed for the Beaver Models Helium Car kit. Trucks are printed with a special heavy duty resin that allows flexibility to spread for installing the wheelsets without being brittle. They can be used for the AHM, Ambroid, or Northeastern helium cars but have not been tested to see what it takes to adapt. I recommend using 33″ wheels (not included).
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HO 100 Ton ACF Solid / Friction Bearing Clasp Brake Trucks
$14.95 – $46.95Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageThis is for a pair of HO scale 100 Ton ACF Solid/Friction Bearing clasp brake trucks specifically designed for the Beaver Models Helium Car kit. Trucks are printed with a special heavy duty resin that allows flexibility to spread for installing the wheelsets without being brittle. They can be used for the AHM, Ambroid, or Northeastern helium cars but have not been tested to see what it takes to adapt. I recommend using 33″ wheels (not included).
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