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Tank car facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
BTM-tankerwagons-04
A British tank wagon

A tank car or tank wagon is a special type of train car. It is built to carry liquids or gases safely from one place to another. Think of it like a giant metal bottle on wheels! These cars are super important for moving things like milk, oil, chemicals, and even water across long distances.

What is a Tank Car?

Tank cars are also known as tank wagons, especially in places like the United Kingdom. They are a key part of the freight train system. Their main job is to move large amounts of liquids or gases that cannot be carried in regular shipping containers.

What Do Tank Cars Carry?

Tank cars carry many different kinds of products. Some carry things we use every day, like:

  • Milk
  • Vegetable oils
  • Fruit juices
  • Water

Other tank cars carry things that need special care, such as:

  • Petroleum products (like gasoline and diesel)
  • Chemicals
  • Liquefied gases (like propane)
  • Industrial chemicals

How Are Tank Cars Built?

Tank cars are built very strong to hold their contents safely. They have a large, cylindrical (tube-shaped) tank on top of a railroad car frame. The tank is usually made of steel or aluminum.

There are different designs for tank cars, depending on what they carry:

  • Non-pressure cars: These are used for liquids that don't need to be kept under pressure, like gasoline or corn syrup. They have a dome on top with a manway (a small opening for access) and valves.
  • Pressure cars: These are for gases or liquids that need to be kept under high pressure, like propane or chlorine. They are stronger and don't have a dome. They have fittings on top or at the ends for loading and unloading.

Special Types of Tank Cars

Some tank cars are designed for very specific jobs:

  • Milk tank cars: These are often insulated to keep milk cold during transport.
  • Torpedo cars: These are very large and carry molten (melted) iron from a blast furnace to a steel mill. They look like a giant torpedo!
  • Vinegar cars: Historically, some tank cars were even made of wood and lined with special materials to carry things like vinegar.

Safety and Design

Safety is a big deal when it comes to tank cars. They are built to strict rules to prevent leaks or accidents. Modern tank cars have features like:

  • Stronger outer shells
  • Special valves to control the flow of liquids or gases
  • Protective shields around the ends of the car

These features help keep the contents safe and prevent spills, which is important for both people and the environment.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vagón cisterna para niños

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