In a message dated 4/24/04 7:48:42 AM, tgilbert@... writes:

<< In 1953, UTLX began to develop a frameless car again. This one they

called the "hot dog." It was a controversial design and, thus, was

subject to many tests. The 1953 design was instigated by an attempt to

reduce or eliminate the need for tank bands - the circular straps around

the tank attaching it to the underframe. These bands were a maintenance

headache. In the tests for the "hot dog," it was found that contrary to

accepted beliefs, the surge of liquids on the tank-heads in a partially

loaded car was less than one which was full. If that was the case, then

the need to have a dome was unnecessary - the expansion dome was

originally designed to reduce the pressure of a fully loaded car. In

1956, the "hot dog" underwent extensive tests conducted by the AAR and

passed with flying colors. It took a bit longer (1961), however, to

eliminate the requirement for side running boards. In 1959, UTLX built

four 21,700 gallon tanks - almost doubling the maximum capacity of tank

cars; in 1960, 30,000 gallons became the maximum. The "Hot Dog" became

obsolete in 1961 when UTLX produced the "Compact-30" car a car of equal

capacity, but considerably shorter.


The above is paraphrased from pages 344-352 of Carr's ROCKEFELLER'S

SECRET WEAPON."


Tim Gilbert>>