Tank car facts for kids
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.
Contents
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.
Images for kids
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A milk tank car for bulk loading at the Illinois Railway Museum.
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AAR Plate-C loading gauge
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Tank car on a Russian fire train.
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Type of shipping containers mounted on a spine car: Tank container (left), and an open-top shipping container with canvas cover (right)
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Torpedo car
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Wooden vinegar car, at the Toronto Railway Museum in Roundhouse Park.
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Modern tank cars carry all types of liquid and gaseous commodites.
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An old Esso Tanker, at the Nene Valley Railway, England
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Modern British tank wagons, photographed in 2013
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See also
In Spanish: Vagón cisterna para niños
