The phrase “form follows function” is central in the design and manufacture of prototype freight cars. Tank cars, which came into being as early as 1865 to transport crude oil, now have numerous configurations and sizes based on the commodity they are intended to carry. The original wooden tanks were rapidly replaced by riveted, then welded, steel or aluminum (although wooden cars were still being produced for the vinegar trade up through the late 1960s!), and incorporated many features to enable this general type of car to carry over 100 different types of liquids, gases, slurries, suspensions, etc.
One of the more visually interesting (and generally misunderstood) cars appeared in the mid to late 1960s. Carrying anywhere from around 7500 to 11,000 gallons, these AAR T102 / T103 cars were extremely tiny at less than 40 feet long (mostly between 28-36 feet), and resembled a jelly bean or beer can on wheels. Many designs were unpressurized, and were heavily utilized by the oil industry, specialty chemical manufacturers, foodstuffs, and solubilized metals suppliers. Contrary to what one might think, these cars were not for small load shipments, but for carrying extremely dense or heavy liquid loads such as asphalt, oil production chemicals, lead gasoline additives (anti-knock), thick molasses and tallow, or chlorinated / brominated solvents. The size of the car (and the corresponding stub-sill and bolster design) was better able to distribute the weight to the rails safely than would a longer or larger car design.
The Atlas Master HO 10,000 Gallon GATX “Beercan” tank was developed from prototype plans in cooperation with GATX, and features angled or rounded ladders, steam jacketed or standard gravity outlets, and new Barber S-2-A trucks.
