Does anyone know anything about the car in the following links ? What was carried and how ? Builder?
http://www.billspennsyphotos.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=82586961
http://www.billspennsyphotos.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=82586965
Well, at first guess, no research included, I would hazard a guess it might have something to do with liquid Carbon Dioxide. Liquid CO2 is carried in modern day tank cars, heavily insulated, and with inert, compressed gas HAZARDOUS MATERIAL (HazMat) placards. The main danger is frostbite since liquid CO2 is roughly 28 degrees below zero. But, since the gas is heavier than air, it can settle in low laying areas, creating a potential suffocation hazard.
Carbonic Acid, which is suggested by the name of the company on the car, is an archaic name for carbon dioxide, and CO2 dissolved in water is also known as Carbonic Acid. Best guess from these facts? I’d hazard a guess that this might be an early refrigerated car for transporting carbonated water for soda-pop makers. But, as like so much else that deals with the rail industry, the more it makes sense, the less likely it is to be true. Carbonic Acid entry on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbonic_acid First hit on “Liquid Carbonic Corp” on a google search: http://www.drugstoremuseum.com/sections/level_info2.php?level=1&level_id=13 I would again hazard a guess that my original hypothesis is correct, if you look at the first picture in the article on the corporation, and compare the font used to that found on the side of the car, they appear identical. Two or three of these kitbashed, maybe a USA 42ft tank car placarded for liquid CO2, and a string of LGB Pepsi & Coca-Cola boxcars might actually have a legitimate basis in history, lol.
ON a side note, Dave, you remember about five years ago, the derailment in Hershey? The big hubbob about a hazmat spill? The rail cars involved were loaded liquid CO2 cars. Everyone saw teh placards and panicked, since it was only a little bit after the incident at Granitville. The big concern was that the tank cars were “leaking” when in fact they were doing as designed… they vent gaseous CO2 as it “boils” back to a gas, raising the tank car’s internal pressure.
I’ll give you this, I can’t find ANYTHING on this car… though there appears a connection with the PRR, let me check my contacts and see if anyone has any ideas.
Jason, thanks for the response. Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.
Bart gave me the following for a better understanding of the car.
According to the AAR Mechanical designations. a class RC car A car equipped with one or more demountable insulated containers. The containers may be equipped with facilities for refrigeration. orrrrr! Refrigerator Car similar to an “RB” car using a cryogen to produce temperatures to transport frozen commodities…
I would still like to see the inside of one but I can model it from the two pictures.
It struck my interest the other day as it reminded me of a more modern boxcar I saw in the York Pa. area recently that had 5 or 6 roof vents, that were hood scoop shaped.
And yes I remember the Hershey area scare. It was only a couple years after I retired from BCFDs Haz Mat team.