20,700 Gallon Tank Car

Prototype Information

The General American 20,700-gallon tank car was widely used in the mid-20th century. It was built by General American Transportation Corporation (GATX), a major tank car manufacturer founded in 1898. This model was designed to carry large volumes of liquids like crude oil, fuel, and chemicals.

Introduced in the 1950s and 1960s, the 20,700-gallon size became a standard. It offered a good balance between volume and rail weight limits. The cars were usually made of welded steel with a single compartment. Many had top-loading domes and some had bottom outlets. Some versions were lined or insulated for specific cargo.

These tank cars served across North America for decades. Over time, safety regulations changed. Older models like this were replaced or rebuilt to meet newer standards. After major accidents in the 2000s and 2010s, stricter rules pushed out many older cars.

Though no longer common in active service, the General American 20,700-gallon tank car remains an important part of rail history. Some are preserved in museums or seen in historic photo collections.

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