Trains.com

How many tank cars?

2211 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Iowa
  • 3,293 posts
How many tank cars?
Posted by Semper Vaporo on Sunday, November 19, 2017 10:08 PM

The oil pipeline spill in South Dakota is being reported as 210,000 gallons... how many RR tank cars is that?

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,880 posts
Posted by tree68 on Sunday, November 19, 2017 10:21 PM

I used the spec for the DOT 111 cars, as it was the first descriptor I could think of.

The answer to your question is seven.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, November 20, 2017 10:27 AM

Although "DOT111" is a tank specification and has nothing to do with tank size, Larry is correct that crude would likely be transported in cars carrying 30,000 gallons.  So yes...seven cars.

What you want, instead of just the tank specification, is the AAR Car Type Code.  The old standard for crude and ethanol transport is T108--that number is an indicator of size and the type of tank.  DOT111 would be nearly the only available choice for a T108.  Other car type codes more acceptable for crude now are T178 and T208.  These cover the new tank specs for safer transport of crude, but the gallonage range (that's what the "8" is for) is stll in the neighborhood of 30,000 gallons.

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: North Carolina
  • 1,904 posts
Posted by csxns on Monday, November 20, 2017 4:05 PM

News wire says seven tank cars.

Russell

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy