Carl question…
How many of these are around, and what in the heck does Lubrzoil ship in them from Painsville Ohio to Deer Park Texas?
By the way, note the instructions on the ends of the car directing which end to load the car into the plant…
ED;
Just a couple of questions:
Just looking at the car, it would seem that with only two apparent loading hatches on top, and it looks like three hopper s for unloading on the bottom. The size of the tubing connecting the unloading outlets would seem to indicate some kind of dry flowable cargo(?) or a pretty viscous type of liquid(?).
Requesting a specific orientation to place the car into the unloading area would seem to indicate that the contents would flow out of a single outlet into the receiving system, via some sort of pressure assisted unloading technique(?)
Anxious to see what Carl can add! [:-^]
ED;
Just a couple of questions:
Just looking at the car, it would seem that with only two apparent loading hatches on top, and it looks like three hopper s for unloading on the bottom. The size of the tubing connecting the unloading outlets would seem to indicate some kind of dry flowable cargo(?) or a pretty viscous type of liquid(?).
Requesting a specific orientation to place the car into the unloading area would seem to indicate that the contents would flow out of a single outlet into the receiving system, via some sort of pressure assisted unloading technique(?)
Anxious to see what Carl can add! [:-^]
According to BNSF, there are 33 of these (UTLX 800000-800032). It is interesting that they have UTLX reporting marks instead of UTCX since they are covered hoppers. I looked at Lubrizol’s website but cannot find any specific information. I did find some pictures at http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?road=UTLX&cid=4. They are all placarded 1340, which is Phosphorus pentasulfide, free from yellow and white Phosphorus. However, the car you photographed does not seem to have a blue placard. I think the best bet would be to get a look at the paperwork.
I was looking at the photographs and noticed those cars are different cars from what you photographed or have been heavily modified.
I did find pictures of the same car type as yours at http://www.railcarphotos.com/Search.php?SearchReportingMark=UTLX&SearchLowerNumber=800000&SearchUpperNumber=800999&Search=Search. They are also placarded 1340.
Do the GATX 300398-300442 (if I remember correctly) series of 36’ tank cars still go to Lubrizol plant at Deer Park? I have not seen one in years.
About all I can find on Phosphorus pentasulfide is that it is used in making automotive lubricants…which of course is what Lubrizol does.
Oh, and VX nerve gas, ye hah…
Eric, have not seen any, but was not looking for them either, I think they still get them, I remember switching one of the tiny tanks last week, but not the reporting mark, I will keep my eyes open.
Sam, it is powdered, and the vacuum hose set up is fixed in place at the plant, which is why the car has to go in a certain way.
Note the vibrator pad marks on the side of the car.
Good old Phos Pentasulfide used in Motor Oils to improve Lubrication Properites at Low Temps and also at High temps as at Low temps it allows Oil to Flow Faster as it would be thinner and at High Temps as it would be Thicker. However to do that it needs a couple more ingrediants added at the plants. It also prevents wear in the Engines as it somehow and I am NOT a mechincal engineer by any means by rearranging the oil Molocues to be thinner on the sides of the Clyinders to allow them stop not stick however also not to BURN on them. I do not know how it works just it does. Also it is a great anti Foaming Agent in the oil. So it does alot in Engine Oils.
In other words, phosphorus pentasulfide is one of the viscosity improvers used in multi-weight motor oils, e.g. 10W-40. Since the vast majority of motor oil for cars and light trucks is multi-weight, I would suspect that the P-P consumption is pretty significant.
- Erik
I asked my Lube rep how much of that stuff they used in a gallon of oil. Per gallon he said they use maybe 2 Tablespoons of it per gallon is what he told me. But he was not going to give me the Exact mix as it was the old Company secret BS he could not tell me.
Which explains why Lubrizol gets these all the time…and doesn’t mind paying the fee for us to wye the car before spotting it.
Thanks…
Also explains why Lubrizol is a “sister company” to BNSF.
It has nothing to do with viscosity. It is used to make an antiwear additive:
Looks like you guys did pretty well without me (we’re on vacation, about eight miles from the nearest good wi-fi). I’d be anxious to see one of these cars sometime!
Then next trip head out to Piainsville Ohio, that’s the other end of the line for these guys, I assume the product is loaded there.
Maybe next time your down to see Joe, Stacy and Matt…
They intrigue me because the first day I had my foreman’s right, I got a butt chewing from a yardmaster because I didn’t realize these were cylindrical hoppers not tank cars, and was setting one out to turn cover because it was placarded.
Ooops…
Look what showed up on Railcarphotos.com.
Eric,
Yup, just switched one out today, the size tipped me off, I checked my note pad and here ya go…
GATX300418, came in on UP yesterday, empty as a spot car for Lubrizol.
Thanks, Ed. I wonder if Chevron’s Richmond, CA refinery changed a process, changed the catalyst or additive these used to deliver, Lubrizol lost the contract, if I have just been unlucky these past few years, or if these are now going by UP and take a route that does not go through the San Joaquin Valley.
BLT 2011, it says ?
I will try and check saturday and see where it came from, (besides the UP!)
well we would be happy to meet you off the turnpike if you make a road trip Ed.Carl likes to inspect the cars on the Maw from the station restaurant here in Defiance.Painesville is on the other side of Cleveland in Northeastern ohio.
stay safe
joe