RE: (erielack) Suburban Propane/Richfield Springs

["Paul Brezicki" <doctorpb_@_bellsouth.net>]

The 33,000 gal tank car came on the scene no later than 1968, perhaps 
earlier. This was the "pregnant whale" design where the circumference was 
smaller at the ends. These were big cars, 65' and 100 ton capacity, and the 
lading was pressurized. As well as LPG, they carried anhydrous ammonia. Most 
likely they served the facility in Richfield Springs by the late 60's. 100 
ton cars were commonplace by that time and travelled on some pretty marginal 
track. The only issue would be if the route included a restricted bridge. 
The other factor is economic: the cost and therefore rate advantage was such 
that if the facility were located on a line with such a weight restriction, 
it would relocate to another line rather than use smaller cars.

Paul B

I just finished reading "Railroad Days" written by Louis C. Langone. It has 
many old accounts of life and happenings on the DLW/EL Utica Branch. One of 
the many interesting things mentioned in the book is a Suburban Gas ( 
Suburban Propane precursor? ) facility located in Richfield Springs, NY. The 
author mentions cars of propane being spotted there. I'm wondering if anyone 
could identify the type and size of the tank cars spotted there. A link to a 
photo would be an incredible bonus, even if not an actual Suburban car. It 
would still give me the proper impression of the size and type of car 
spotted there. I do have a couple of N scale 33,000 gallon propane cars, but 
wonder if these are much larger than the cars that would have been spotted 
at the location in question. Lighter rail on the branch, tighter curves, 
etc. all may come into play. Thanks for any help in this matter. I enjoyed 
the book immensely!

Todd K. Stearns
 


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