--- In STMFC@..., "Beckert, Shawn" <shawn.beckert@d...> wrote:
Elden,
As I mentioned earlier, I'm not going to get a chance to do any in-depth research on your question about the various companies that made or used anhydrous ammonia until sometime this weekend. However, as I ran out the door to work this morning, I grabbed a Dow Chemical Co. publication that I acquired some time ago. It's called "Tank Car Facts", and was intended for use by the Dow Tank Car Department (Yes, they actually had one). The publication is dated June 5, 1950.
In the entire book they only mention Anhydrous Ammonia once, in reference to the ICC-106A500 class of tank car:
"SPECIFICATIONS FOR ICC 106A500
This specification covers welded steel tanks to be mounted on or to form part of a car. This class of tank car is called, the Multi-Unit or Cradle car, and is used for the transportation of 15 one-ton cylinders.
Tanks or cylinders built under this specification must be cylindrical with heads dished convex inward. All openings must be located in the heads. Tanks must be securely attached to a car structure in such a manner that they may be removed for filling by the consignor and emptying by the consignee. Each tank must be tested to 500 pounds per square inch.
There are many products which this type of car may carry. It was originally designed for Chlorine and Anhydrous Ammonia, however, the bulk of our Chlorine and Anhydrous Ammonia, today, is carried in tank cars. This car is very serviceable for customers which require cylinder use, and is used by our Great Western Division to very good advantage."
So there you have it. That Dow mentions Anhydrous Ammonia hints that they did carry it, but whether they produced it themselves or bought it elsewhere still needs to be researched. More details as they become available...
As an aside, I believe somebody made this car in H.O. brass once upon a time. Whether it fits your period of modeling I can't say. I'm not even sure how far past the early 1950's this car was used on American railroads.
Shawn Beckert
Train Shed Cyclopedia #12 has couple of photos of 106A, GATX & ACF. Also ACF general arrangement.