Scranton in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Tank Car

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

1. Tank Car Marker

On the right side is a Cross section of the DL&W's 1912 Oil House, with tank car alongside.

Inscription.
Tank Car. . More than a century ago, railroads developed special cars to carry liquids - usually crude oil and petroleum products - without separate containers or packaging. Since many liquids required special linings, most tank cars were owned by individual shippers and carried only one class of product over many railroads., Industry practices recommended that a railroad siding be built next to an oil house so oils could be delivered either in barrels onto the loading dock or directly from tank cars. Petroleum products delivered by tank car to the oil house were fed through a series of pipes and valves directly into the basement's storage tanks. The oil was then pumped to the first floor's supply pipes as needed.
More than a century ago, railroads developed special cars to carry liquids - usually crude oil and petroleum products - without separate containers or packaging. Since many liquids required special linings, most tank cars were owned by individual shippers and carried only one class of product over many railroads.

Industry practices recommended that a railroad siding be built next to an oil house so oils could be delivered either in barrels onto the loading dock or directly from tank cars. Petroleum products delivered by tank car to the oil house were fed through a series of pipes and valves directly into the basement's storage tanks. The oil was then pumped to the first floor's supply pipes as needed.

Erected by Steamtown Nataionl Historic Site - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 41° 24.469′ N, 75° 40.291′ W. Marker is in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. Marker can be reached from Mechanic Street, on the left when traveling east. Located near the entrance to Steamtown National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scranton PA 18503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oil House (here, next to this marker); a different marker
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also named Oil House (here, next to this marker); 1902 Roundhouse Office (a few steps from this marker); Oil House Foundation (within shouting distance of this marker); CNJ #5 Steam Derrick (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamtown (within shouting distance of this marker); Illinois Central #790 (within shouting distance of this marker); Claremont & Concord Snow Plow #60 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scranton.

Also see . . . Steamtown National Historic Site. National Park Service home for the park. (Submitted on June 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

2. Tank Car Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

3. A Tank Car beside the Oil House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.