Tangent Scale Models

Asheville, North Carolina: Tangent Scale Models today is releasing our next all-new HO scale freight car, the North American Car Corporation (NACC) 1979+ Jacketed 33,000 Dual Diameter Flammable Gas Tank Car, Class DOT-112-J-340-W. This gorgeous prototype tank car model has never been available in either brass or plastic, and is applicable to modelers from 1979 to the 2000s. We are excited to bring you this highly relevant – and needed – tank car model in HO Scale.

You’ve been asking for 1970s tank cars. Here is the first ever dual diameter, jacketed tank car, in HO scale! And – this is our third all-new 1960s/1970s tank car released in 2026! No preorders. No waiting. These cars are available right now.

North American Car Corporation (NACC) originally produced this 33,000 Gallon “Dual Diameter” tank car design between 1963-1965, designed for Propane and Anhydrous Ammonia. After a series of tank car safety incidents, U.S. DOT mandated that all of the cars must receive either head shields or an external insulated jacket – to be installed between 1979–1980.

In the case of these DOT-112-J-340-W cars, an external insulated jacket was added to the tanks, hence the “J” in the DOT class designation. North American made many modifications to these cars during the rebuild process; notably, these “pressure tank cars” were modified with the jacketed insulation, which made the cars visually larger in both tank diameters. Additionally, large metal boxes were fabricated around the bolster area. The tanks maintained the large “Manway Nozzle” at the top of the car for gas loading/unloading, and the safety valve. These cars are notable because of the handrails that extend across the top of the entire tank from the ends. The addition of jacketing boosted the car’s spec to Plate C. Finally, these cars were equipped with shelf couplers per USDOT rules instituted at the same time as the rule mandating tank protection: head shields (our May release for cars without insulation) or insulation (this month’s release).

The Tangent Scale Models NACC 1979+ Jacketed 33,000 Dual Diameter Flammable Gas Tank Car is a dimensionally-accurate replica that adds great visual variety to your tank car fleet. Our model includes key build variations, including top walkway handrail modifications. This replica includes our “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.

Our August 2026 release of the HO NACC 1979+ Jacketed 33,000 Dual Diameter Flammable Gas Tank Car includes three private schemes, plus one unlettered “but painted black” option.

- NATX "Black Lease 1981" introduces our NATX “plain black lease” paint scheme as applied to the tank car when rebuilt in 1981. This lease scheme is entirely painted black, and includes white stenciling. Color on the car is present with the red, white, and blue North American logo on the side of the car. These cars feature the Roman-style stenciling in white, which certainly “pops” against the black-painted carbody. Among many small stencils, the words “Liquified Petroleum Gas” is stenciled on the right side, confirming its service use, as well as a myriad of other accurate stenciling. These tank cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with 36’ wheels, separate truck brake beams and rotating Timken roller bearing caps. These cars are available with 4 road numbers, perfect for filling out your era-specific trains. SKU 31220

- CITX "Black Restencil" 1987+ gives modelers an example of a very popular 1980s+ paint scheme car. These “orange band” cars were painted this way to identify railcars that carry hazardous commodities under pressure, notably Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG) and anhydrous ammonia. This orange band was a temporary rule instituted in Canada, but when the United States Department of Transportation did not agree to institute the same rule in the United States, the orange band rule was dropped. This scheme represents these cars in the 1987 and later era, when the cars were under PLM Railcar Management Services ownership. The car stenciling represents a former North American Car Corporation lease car in the simple black scheme. The stenciling also includes a yellow box designating a phone number to call in case of a “chemical emergency.” Among many other smaller stencils, the words “Liquified Petroleum Gas Only” are stenciled on the right side, denoting the service for these cars. These tank cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with 36’ wheels, separate truck brake beams and rotating “Benco 6” roller bearing caps. These cars are available in 4 numbers, and they are stunners. SKU 31221

- AREX "Black Lease Repaint" 1991+ is a repainted “black lease” car for owner Aeropres Corporation, a producer of various industrial gas products, petrochemicals, and polymers. This beautiful and simple black paint scheme represents these cars in the 1991 and later era. The car stenciling includes end capacity lettering as well as truck reporting marks. The stenciling also includes a yellow box designating a phone number to call in case of a “chemical emergency.” Among many other smaller stencils, the words “Liquified Petroleum Gas Only” are stenciled on the right side, denoting the service for these cars. These tank cars roll on Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with 36’ wheels, separate truck brake beams and rotating Timken roller bearing caps. This car is available in one accurate road number. SKU 31222

For our first release of this new car, we are excited to also offer one painted and unlettered RTR option, continuing our dedication to the customers who want to finish their own cars. We have done the hard work for you – we have painted these models in black - so they are ready for decaling (or further paint and modeling work). We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products.

- Unlettered RTR Black Body and Underframe is a completely assembled RTR model, painted white and unlettered. It features the ICC-112J-340-W body and associated underframe and appliances. This model includes Tangent 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels along with genuine Kadee® scale couplers. SKU 31215-01

All of these models (with prototype North American Car Corporation tank car photos) can be seen at www.tangentscalemodels.com !

The Tangent Scale Models NACC 1979+ Jacketed 33,000 Dual Diameter Flammable Gas Tank Car is a dimensionally-accurate replica that adds great visual variety to your tank car fleet. Our model includes key build variations, including top walkway handrail modifications. This replica includes our “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail, and many underframe and bolster area details. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale shelf couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.

These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of our NACC 1979+ Jacketed 33,000 Dual Diameter Flammable Gas Tank Car paint-scheme specific details and variations include:
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• Industry-leading “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme
• Beautiful weld lines across the many insulated courses on the tank body
• “See through” rooftop walkways and end platforms
• “Lacey” handrails and ladders
• Dimensionally-correct hazardous placards with accurate hole detail
• Accurate bolster “boxes”
• “See-through” bolster detail just like the prototype
• Detailed brake system including a combination of plastic and wire parts to maximize realism
• Separate flexible durable rubber air hoses
• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
• Genuine Kadee® scale shelf couplers – prototypically accurate per the prototypes
• Our precision Tangent Scale Models 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps (four possible options!) and separate brake beam part
• CNC-machined 36” wheels with accurate front and back detail
• Replacement semi-scale wheels available separately from Tangent
• Weighted to NMRA specifications
• Recommended age 14 years and older

Don’t miss out on the Tangent Scale Models NACC 1979+ Jacketed 33,000 Dual Diameter Flammable Gas Tank Car, a first of its kind in HO scale! Pricing for RTR models is $69.95, with quantity discounts for direct purchases from Tangent Scale Models.

That wraps up our update for today, and thank you for supporting the family-owned businesses in our industry!

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The NMRA National Train Show is coming THIS WEEKEND to Chattanooga, TN, and Tangent Scale Models will be there in booth 1108!

The show will be Saturday, August 1st, and Sunday, August 2nd at the Chattanooga Convention Center in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, only blocks from the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo. Hours are 9am to 4pm each day.

Below is a floor map reference for you to find us through the crowds! Please stop by and say hello!

We had a great day at the St. Louis RPM today, in Collinsville IL! We will be there again tomorrow, Saturday July 25! Will you?? Come say hello if you are and check out our releases from the past year or so!