UP has a training tank car (though not a former pressure tank like CN’s). I’ve seen that one, as well as Chevron’s, and DuPont’s (which has an entire train, not just one car). PCS (formerly the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan) has something similar. (And, Andrew, I’ve also seen the Amoco car–now repainted for BP–and the Rohm and Haas car).
Some of the major leasing companies–GATX, for sure–have training cars as well. And there’s one Massachusetts-based company (can’t think of the name or the reporting mark right now) that has acquired a fleet of tank cars and other equipment for mobile instruction as well.
Carl, is that UP operated in conjunction with Shell? I have seen a Shell car a few times, it seems like it also had a UP sheild on it (although I am not sure).
Eric, Shell may have one of its own. I think the number of the UP car is 911000, which suggests that it’s considered a non-revenue car.
Here are some photographs I found of it. They were taken in 1995. The car appears to have SP’s Sunset logo on it. The photographs below are from http://www.trainnet.org/Libraries/catalog005.htm.
The last time I saw this car, it was light gray. I will have to dig up the photograph I took of it.
ericsp,
Those are sharp photos of that Safety Training Tank Car.
One Safety Training Tank Car with a visually stunning scheme is operated by the Canadian leasing company PROCOR.
It is on the PROCOR website in a lower resolution photo.
BNSF apparently has a TranCaer Tank Car.
Andrew Falconer
DuPont Integrated Emergency Home Page features the DuPont Train consisting of a Boxcar, Tank Car, and Extended-Vision Caboose.
www.dupont.com/emergencyresponse/index.html
Andrew
Do those beautiful modern tankers have real-life counterparts that actually ride the rails?
Seems most of the tankers I’m seeing these days are old, have dull spots, are patched, bear graffiti or all four!
al-in-chgo
Actually, I believe that all of the safety training tankcars are converted old, retired tankcars (and they do ride the rails). There are large quantities of new tankcars around. I don’t know why there are none where you are.
Well, I have to admit I’ve seen some very pretty, proprietary Archer-Daniels-Midland tankers (probably holding corn syrup) passing thru Rochelle, Ill., but there does seem almost always to be something wrong with most of the “basic black” tankers, usually graffiti.
I have also noticed many black tankers passing thru Folkston, GA that have graffiti too. But maybe I am oversensitized to the issue, since that type of decor (read: defacement) rarely appeals to me.
I’ll keep a-lookin’ though. Just because I’m over fifty doesn’t mean all my opinions have to be based on prejudice. - al
“I’ll see it when I believe it.” – Squiggy, from Laverne and Shirley.
To see the PROCOR TransCAER Training Tank Car click that link.
www.procor.com/pdf/TransCAER.pdf
The photo is low resolution thnough.
Andrew
The TransCAER website has newsletter with photo of the CHEVRON - BNSF Tank Car
http://www.transcaer.org/downloads/newsletters/summer_1999.pdf
It is in the middle of that newsletter.
Andrew
Tank Cars are cleaned and painted as part of the maintenance schedule.
Tank Cars used for Food Product Service are the cleanest of all.
Petroleum Products Tank Cars are in service so often that they do not get the frequent painting like other chemicals.
Andrew
CSX has a train of tank cars, with accompanying converted-boxcar-classroom. I recall seeing lettering regarding a Massachussetts fire association on some of the cars when I attended the session here. Had a tired, old GE for power.
This is an article file from the Union Tank Car Website about the CSX UTLX Safety Train
http://www.utlx.com/TA/SafetyTrain-1-3-2004.pdf
Andrew