Grade limits on 40s tank cars

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
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This is tied to my other posting. However, I thought it best to keep it separate.

Was there a grade limit on moving tank cars up a grade in the 40s & 50s - particularly regard liquids. Would 3.1% be considered too steep of a grade for transporting petroleum?

Thanks,

Tom

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On the D&RGW narrow gauge in the 40s & 50s, narrow gauge tank cars would run from the oil fields in Farmington, NM to the refinery in Alamosa, CO. Part of that trip was up the 4% grade up Cumbres Pass. Look for images of “Gramps” tank cars; the owner of the refinery had the cars so labelled so his grandchildren would know those cars belonged to him. Refinery shut down in 1964, IIRC, and shipments of oil on the narrow gauge came to an abrupt halt.

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I can’t think of any limits. The tank cars are sealed shut so the grade doesn’t matter that I can figure. Remember too a 4% grade is super steep on a railroad, but in reality is almost flat compared to say many automobile roads, which tanker trucks roll on every day.

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