When you implode a gas can, the flat sides deform more easily as the internal pressure drops below the atmospheric pressure and the can crushes slowly. In the tank car demo (as in demonstration as well as demolition!) it was filled with liquid and sealed at the top, then the drain was opened. As the liquid drains the internal pressure drops, but the cylindrical shape of the tank car does not deform until it reaches a critical level where it suddenly gives and the whole thing collapses. WHUMP!
I have seen the result of a covered hopper that had partially collapsed due to the top hatch not being opened (like the instructions stenciled all over the sides of the car state to do) and it had started to deform as soon as the drain had been opened and the worker quickly closed the drain to stop it. But getting the top hatches opened had to wait until the enough air had leaked in to allow the worker to get the hatch open as the vacuum was holding it down pretty good.
You'd think they would be smart enough to put some sort of safety valve on them things to keep them from being destroyed this way, but I know it happens so apparently there is no safety valve on them.