What was or is the work train tank car used for? Does most railways have one?
I see Athearn makes/made one. Just curious what if I need one.LOL
Thanks,
Mark
Could carry water. Could carry fuel oil (like for the “Big Hook”). Just a couple of possibilities.
Regards
Ed
You could have more than one. In the days of steam, some of that water would be for the boiler in the Big Hook, in addition to fuel oil.
Then there were the camp cars. There could be showers in the sleeping cars or even a separate shower car. The kitchen car would need potable water, so you could end up with three different types of tank cars on a big work train – fuel, feed- and shower-water, and drinking water. Typically, each would be clearly labelled to avoid confusion and possible contamination.
Sometimes, an old twin- or triple-bunker tank car was used to consolidate things a bit, with fuel oil through one dome and water through the other(s). I have also seen partial tank cars, where there is a smaller tank at one end of a flat car, with a tool shed or other equipment at the other end. Oftentimes the cars equipped with showers or kitchens will have smaller tanks mounted on the roof to allow gravity supply after being filled from the tank car.
How about: Weed killer [:D]
I have the Athearn MoW tank car. It is labeled “For water use only”. Although all the above mentioned uses are possible.