Description
During the 1950s, General American Transportation Company tank car production was in full swing utilizing the company’s “all-welded” tank car designs, produced at the company’s Sharon PA plant. In 1957, GATC continued production of general service, non-insulated tank cars with safety platforms installed around the dome, however Sharon added extra sheet metal to the top portion of the tank body around the dome, giving it a “bulb” or raised appearance. Also, there were other refinements to the design including a modernized handrail around the tank, larger tank manway handrail uprights, and side tank weldment mechanisms to secure the tank to the frame.
These tank cars remained in service into the 1990s and were utilized for a variety of services including corn syrup, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), fatty acid, molasses, sodium chlorate, vinegar, fuel oil and other petroleum products, etc. The “smooth” appearance of these common tanks with the safety platform makes them look very “modern,” and their design is similar to tank cars produced today.
Most of these cars were painted in billboard schemes during this production era, reflecting lessees for various liquid materials shippers. These tank cars remained in service into the 1990s and were utilized for a variety of services including corn syrup, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), fatty acid, molasses, sodium chlorate, vinegar, fuel oil and other petroleum products, etc. The “smooth” appearance of these common tanks with the safety platform makes them look very “modern,” and their design is similar to tank cars produced today.
GATX Clinton Corn “Original 1958+” shows the classic Clinton Corn Processing, Clinton, Iowa scheme which was used for corn syrup shipments! This car is resplendent in 1950s glory – silver tank body, black highlights, and black, red, and white stenciling.







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