Food Grade Tank Car 50s-60s Era

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’m in the planning stages of building a module which will have a mayonaise factory, served by rail. We’re talking Schneider’s Mayonaise in Westerly, RI. Is there an available HO tank car model that would have been used to deliver food grade oil in the fifties? I don’t think ones painted for Sunoco or Texaco would quite do. Thanks, Ken

2

I recall corn syrup being hauled in the 1970’s in black tank cars. I don’t remeber much more than that unfortunately. The cars may have been owned by one of the tank car leasing companies such as GATX. I think the cars were stenciled to identify contents of the car.

3

Hi ss122

I dont know much on US cars but I would suggest looking for a glass lined tanker something like a milk tanker?? as a possible

regards John

4

you mean like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Walthers-Gallon-Funnel-Flow-Single-Assembled/dp/B000IE702Y

google is a wonderful thing [swg]

5

Thanks, but I don’t think the funnel flow cars were around in the 50s. Ken

6

Thanks for the tip, Attaboy. I googled Funnel-Flow tank car, and after a few dozen model RR entries, I found a history of Union Tank Car. They came up with Funnel-Flow in the sixties, too recent for my needs. I’ll probably go with a standard three dome UTLX tank, unless someone can come up with a more specific car type. Ken

7

MR Guide to Freight cars page 24 shows a 4000 gal. welded car built by ACF in 1949 for hauling vegetable oil… SHPX 4297… text indicates that cars with small tanks were built to haul small lots or heavier (denser) products.

8

Hm. Fascinating.

I dont think those milk cars will do, would they?

9

I have at my computer desk a RTR single doom tankcar with a built date of 1937 for C. F. Simonin’s and Son’s, Inc., Vegetable Oil Refiners. It is exactly the same as a Cities Service Oil Co. tankcar from that same era. I guess the key was, don’t mix those loads. The Simonin’s car is a relatively new run but I don’t remember who manufactured it, but I believe it was Atlas. Check their site and if you don’t find it check Walthers and Athearn, I know it was one of the three.

10

Here are a few cars from my files that are probably food quality…

ACFX 24584 blt 56 Hygrade Food Products vegetable oil

1 dome, non pressure

"A Rolling Pipeline of Colorful Tank Cars: Classic

Freight Cars Vol.2" p.34 color pix

. E. Staley Manufacturing AESX 23 MCB Class II, 8000 gallon blt 1913

American Car & Foundry (Kaminski) p.56

AESX 576 A.E.Staley (North American Car Line)

not listed 54 Eqpt.Reg.: listed 71 EqptReg as TM, 8000 gallons

1966 photo by Jim Sands on website www.rr-fallenflags.org,

AESX 4991 Staley Manufacturing Co. 9,000 gal. domeless non-pressure

9,000 gallons blt 1964 _Rolling Pipeline of Colorful Tank Cars:

_ Classic Freight Cars Vol.2 p.45

CCLX Crystal Car Line 54 Eqpt Reg lists CCLX 101-1020 in 14 # series

total 239 cars. All TL except 101-120 TM.

Crystal Car Line is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Corn Products

Refining Co. (along w/ Chicago, Peoria & Western Rwy)

per Moody’s Industrial Manual 1955

See “CORN PRODUCTS” for 1960s-70s cars

GATX 971 4 dome wine tank AAR-203 for wine

Musolino, San Martin,Cal; Lo. Conte Co. Boston

listed 54 Reg as TLI.

Train Shed Cyclopedia #12 p 1940-317

GATX 30465 Imperial Sugar

GATX 31057-58 Baker’s Chocolate AAR 203W Special

A Rolling Pipeline of Colorful Tank Ca

11

A few more food grade cars…

NATX 23151 Cargill vegetable oil, 50’ frameless tank

RMC Feb93 p.56

SBIX 1634 Standard Brands vinegar tank car

32’ long 8000 gallons blt 1938 tank blt 1950 retired 1963

Natl Museum of Transport,St.Louis

SBIX 1682 vinegar tank car blt 1957

"A Rolling Pipeline of Colorful Tank Cars: Classic

Freight Cars Vol.2" p.57 color pix

SHPX 6600 AAR-203W-insulated for wine, six dome

listed 54 Reg.

Train Shed Cyclopedia #12 p.1940-313

SHPX 6622 AAR-203 six dome 6000 gal for wine

listed 54 Reg.

Train Shed Cyclopedia #12 p.1943-311

SHPX 9351 blt 1936 used for edible oil

ACF Type 27 8000 gallon riveted tank listed 1954 Eqpt Reg

(HO model-Intermountain) Rail Mod Journal Oct97 p.27

12

Thanks one and all for the great answers. The Simonin’s car looks like the best choice. It is available from Ebay, and given that Simonin’s was located in Philly, it is plausible as a source for an industry in RI. Ken