Tim O'Connor wrote:

SP had some calcium carbide container cars. The containers
were cylindrical, and closed. I don't know if the stuff was
powdered, or in a slurry form. Anyone know?

Tim

As Tony Thompson said, walnut size chunks, but it would definitely be shipped dry as any water introduced to the mix would start production of Acetylene gas.

Tim Barney

I just uploaded 3 pictures of Calcium Carbide cars. They are in the
photos section under P Deis. The first two I took in Ukiah CA and the
third is from a buddy retired from the SP

Paul Deis
Chief Engineer, D&P Mountain Railroad
http://web.mac.com/curlyp
pdeis@...