I've seen some Dow tank cars for sale from the correct era to run on my N Scale layout (late 1950s). I want to buy them, but I also want to make sure I'd be using them in a sensible way. What would Dow have been shipping in these cars in the 50s, and what businesses would have received those shipments? Would fertilizer or other farm chemicals have been shipped in these cars to grain elevators for sale to farmers?
Wikipedia has an article about the company--some good info there.
Ed
RR TELG,
If Wikipedia,can't help you,,,Google,,Dow Chemical Midland Mich,,,that is their corporate headquarters and they will tell you all the things that they make,what they are for and how shipped..In the 80's,when I owned my own trucks,I picked up there a lot,,,one of the hardest place's to get through the front gate...You had to watch a 1/2 hour video and get a picture ID,from them,to even be past the front gate..
Cheers,
Frank
random notes from my industry reference---
Dow Chemical: 5 general classes of products:
industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, ag chemicals,
plastics (esp. styrene) , magnesium _World Book Encyclopedia , 1958 p.__D-2071
"8 major chemical companies, (including Dow)
are now using the GATC Dry-Flo covered hopper for bulk shipment
of polyethylene and polystyrene." _Rwy Age_ Jan.18, 1960 p.48
Dow Chemical, Great Western Div tankcar . GWEX 803. 103-BW rubber lined for hydrochloric acid
listed 54 Official Rwy Equipmt Reg. picture: Train Shed Cyclopedia #12 p.1943-303
Dow was a pioneer in chlor-alkali production. They were shipping chlorine and caustic soda by tank car.