For over a quarter century, Athearn’s Genesis brand has stood at the top of its product offerings. Now in stores is Athearn’s first Genesis-level freight car release for N scale – a family of highly-detailed 13,000-gallon capacity tank cars based on cars built by Union Tank Car Company (UTC) and Procor of Oakville, Ontario, Canada beginning in the 1980s. Since then, cars like these have roamed the rails all across North America to the present day. Nearly identical-looking cars of similar capacity have also been produced by Trinity and ACF, with the most obvious spotting features being the different style bolsters that mate each truck to the body. Most, if not all, cars built to these specifications have been assigned to transporting acids – most commonly sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid has a wide range of industrial uses, including paper production, oil refining, chemical production, battery and metal products manufacturing and as a primary component in the production of agricultural fertilizers. All cars in this review are equipped with hazmat placards displaying “1830” for the transportation of sulfuric acid.
Athearn’s Genesis 13k tank cars come bristling with an extremely high level of detail, especially for N scale. The family of cars is offered in either of two different body styles, with different top platforms and end sills, flexible rubber train line air hoses, two styles of underbody brake rigging, separately applied metal grab irons and end handrails, etched metal walkways and end platforms, coupler cut levers, and Type F “Double shelf” knuckle couplers – a first for N scale.
The amount of fine detail requires careful handling. Instead of pulling the car out from its packaging, once the upper plastic sleeve is loosened, invert the product box to have the car release itself gently into the palm of your hand. Take care not to prod the end railings as they can pop out of position under careless handling. Resecure with ACC or canopy glue as needed.
Notably, the end platforms and stirrup steps are of sturdy cast metal with wire-form metal lower safety railings, allowing each car to be easily rerailed by gentle contact from beneath, using the stirrup steps…
Perhaps one of the most colorful schemes in this release is NATX 130002, owned by GE Rail (leasing) Services. Wearing a white tank car body bisected by a vertical black band at the center with orange platform railings, NATX 130002 is one of a group of 25 cars built by Trinity Rail in December 1999.
