Early Propane Transport

[Anonymous]

I remember my Grandparents using "Bottle Gas" (propane) back in the late 1940's before the arrival of natural gas pipelines. I also remember large propane tanks at the local CO-OP in the 1950's that were used to fill propane trucks, which then made local deliveries to refill household tanks. I'm certain the propane for the large tanks arrived by rail, but do not recall ever seeing the cars it arrived in. How was propane transported by rail in the '40's and '50's before the large propane tank cars started coming on the scene in the 1960's? Ron H.

[thirdrail1]

"Pressure" tank cars date from the 1920's. The increase in the size of tank cars had more to do with pricing decisions by the railroads than technical advances.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I thought it would be a specialized tank car, but do not recall ever seeing any that I was aware of. I know this next question should probably be on the modeling forum, but since I asked the original question here, I'll keep the follow-up question here. Does anyone know of an HO scale "Pressure" tank car suitable for the 50's? Ron.

[CShaveRR]

Before the large tank cars that came on the scene in the 1960s, LP gas and anhydrous ammonia were carried in 10,000-gallon (or thereabouts) tank cars that blended in quite well with the rest of the fleet, except for exterior fittings...a smaller manway instead of a dome, and usually an insulated tank (identifiable by ends somewhat different from the rounded ends of non-insulated tanks). I don't know whether Athearn makes the same "chemical tank car" it used to have in the 1960s, but that was a lower-capacity tank car patterned after insulated tank cars used to transport liquefied chlorine gas, if memory serves.

[BRAKIE]

Carl; Yes, athearn still makes that tank car!Infact alot of there car kits are still around that was made in the 60s.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, that helps a lot. Ron H.