Nostalgia & History > Santa Fe Sunday.

On February 2, 1987 a Santa Fe westbound intermodal rounds the curve at Niota, Illinois.  At about 1:16 in the video clip there is a bright tank trailer.  Would this have been for carrying gasolene?  Location is about MP 230 on what is now the BNSF Chillicothe sub.  The train was slowing for the speed restriction on the Mississippi river bridge and then would enter Iowa at Ft. Madison.

Thanks for viewing.

Ron Hirsch
Springfield, Mo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/25 09:29 by hank.

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Thanks for posting, Ron.  To attempt to answer the question, the tank trailer would probably not be for gasoline.  The shape is wrong.  I don't know that the railroads hauled gasoline in tankers.  Do they? 

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

That is most likely a food grade tanker. Would haul any kind of food safe liquid products. From vegetable oil to soda syrup. It is possible also that it could be for inedible (think dog food) products, although it would be labeled as such usually in big letters on the front and rear, but same style tank usually. One thing for certain is it not a gasoline tanker, or anything hauling hazardous liquids as it has no placard holders.

Nice one hank!

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

             Very difficult to say what the truck trailer will be used for but I agree, definitely NOT for gasoline. We see many like that or similar that haul raw milk to processing plants. One near me makes cheese only.

Nice video, thanks for posting. Interesting to see all of those trailers from years ago. As mentioned above, on the UP into LA in the late 70s/80s, they would occasionally ship brand new, empty tank trailers similar or exactly like that one that I seem to remember were to be used for milk.