tank car experiments

[Roadrunner]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone out there knows if any railroads have designed and tested any experimental tank car designs that didn't work out, and where I would be able to find out some information about any such experiments.  Or how about the history of tank cars?  Thanks

[lost&forgotn]

Trininty Industries built several longer pressure cars several years ago.  They had 6 wheel trucks on each end and were quite a bit longer, but the sales of them didnt go over very well so they abandoned the program.   As far as the rest of the failures most of them didnt get past the extensive testing phase that the AAR (american association of railroads) requires before the prototypes are released into production.  Most all of the prototypes are destroyed during the testing stages.  I will see if I can find some pictures in the archives .  I work in a railcar repair facility and know that it will be hard to find much of a history on tanks as none of them seem to exist.   The regulations require that tanks taht are 40 years old  be scrapped. 

I hope that this helps.

Glen

[lost&forgotn]

Roadrunner,

I would try and get a hold of the AAR or TTCI in Colorado.  They do alot of testing of tank cars there.  You might be able to get an internship with them if you are interested in the railroad industry.  sory I couldnt post the pictures here.  Send me your email addy and I will send some pict of it and other tank cars to you. 

[Roadrunner]

 Glen,

Thanks for the great information!  Any information is greately appreciated!

I have already contacted the TTCI about a possible internship in the future.  Talking to the AAR is a great idea, and I will definetely do that!

  Thomas

[Bob-Fryml]

The National Museum of Transportation located on the far southwest side of greater Saint Louis, MO has the GATX 96500 in its collection.  Called a "whale car" because of its shape, this tank car was an experimental design built to haul compressed gases.  The car and its contents were so heavy that it required four, 4-wheel trucks to support, specifically with a pair of trucks on each end connected by span bolsters.

Because of the car's 97-ft. length, when rounding some curves it had too much overhang and thus caused clearance problems.  Because of this clearances issue, the GATX 96500 retired from interchange service early.

[AltonFan]

Thinking about this, it occurred to me that manufacturers of railcars or chemicals might conduct tests privately during the research and development stages of car design.  And the results would be treated as confidential information shared only on a need to know basis.  Obviously, you wouldn't want to share your data with competitors, at least not until you received your patent.

[cudaken]

AltonFan

Obviously, you wouldn't want to share your data with competitors, at least not until you received your patent.

 

 I will go along with that!

[Bob.M]

 I don't know if this qualifies as an experiment, but I noticed a subtle but significant difference between these tank cars and all others I have seen before. The top of the tank slopes down from each end to the center. Although I can't actually see the bottom clear enough, it probably slopes also. It is as if they cut a cylindrical wedge from the center of a long pipe, then welded it back together. This should allow more complete draining of the tank.Just how common is this practice?

[AltonFan]

Actually, the tank cars that seem "bent" at the center have been around since at least the early 1990s, and maybe longer.

[Bob.M]

AltonFan

Actually, the tank cars that seem "bent" at the center have been around since at least the early 1990s, and maybe longer.

 

OK, I guess the experiment was a success then. Do they do anything tricky to get the oil to flow better during the frigid winter months?

[AltonFan]

Bob.M

Do they do anything tricky to get the oil to flow better during the frigid winter months?

I understand some tank cars are fitted with heaters (and cooling devices) depending on the intended load.  I think some can be hooked up to steam hoses for similar purposes.

As I was driving today, it just occured to me that many highway tank trailers are also built with the bend in the middle.