Western Railroad Discussion > Utah Railway Oil Can

Thanks to all who responded to my query on Utah Railway ops. Managed to catch the UTAH's oil train to Helper. Attached are a few photos from the chase. 

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Final Photo

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Interesting that they're using a tank car as a buffer car.  This does happen occasionally.  I
caught a diesel fuel train on the BNSF in Savanna a couple of years ago.  It was all tank 
cars which mildly surprised me, and a rail friend, with whom I share my train chasing adventures
checked it out.  Apparently, it doesn't matter what's IN the first car as long as it isn't hazardous.
In my case, the first tank car was filled with water.  I'm thinking this train would be similar.  

Just some random thoughts from railfan land. 

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

VERY NICE....!! Thanks for sharing.

Nice to see those MK5000s still operational. Very nice pics.

ntharalson Wrote:
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> Interesting that they're using a tank car as a
> buffer car.  This does happen occasionally.  I
> caught a diesel fuel train on the BNSF in Savanna
> a couple of years ago.  It was all tank 
> cars which mildly surprised me, and a rail friend,
> with whom I share my train chasing adventures
> checked it out.  Apparently, it doesn't matter
> what's IN the first car as long as it isn't
> hazardous.
> In my case, the first tank car was filled with
> water.  I'm thinking this train would be similar.
>  
>
> Just some random thoughts from railfan land. 
>
> Nick Tharalson,
> Marion, IA

Not all "oil trains" require buffer cars. Depends on how the oil is classified.
For example the Oil Cans that run on the Coast Route between San Ardo and Los Angeles don't require a buffer car because the heavy crude that is carried on this train is classified as Combustable and not Flammable.