Dec.,2008 MR tank car article

If this subject has already been mentioned, I’ll apologize in advance. The lead photo for Tony Koester’s article on page 42 shows what appears to be a narrow gauge track right in the center. Was Mt. Carmel, Illinois served by a narrow gauge line in 1943, was that a track for some sort of service vehicles, or what?

I presume it is a tramway for a railed service cart to carry heavy parts and tools used to service the tanks cars.

Mark

A small foundry in Milwaukee still has a short segment of narrow gauge that parallels the old C&NW spur that went into the plant. Small 4 wheel flatbed cars or carts were used, presumably to move heavy tools or equipment around, pushed by hand.

Dave Nelson