Third Edition

INTRODUCTION
Field Guide to Tank Cars is intended to be used by emergency
responders and others involved with railroad tank cars. It
provides information on the types, safety systems,
stenciling, and markings of tank cars utilized to transport
regulated (hazardous materials/dangerous goods) and
nonregulated commodities.
Given the varying characteristics of the different
commodities being transported and the shipper’s differing
needs and uses, it is impossible to cover all the various types
of tank cars and fittings used. The illustrations contained in
this guide are intended to provide a general overview of
tank car types and typical fittings. They show the most
common types of single-unit tank cars (a tank car tank
mounted on, or forming part of, a railcar structure)
currently used to transport both regulated (hazardous
materials/dangerous goods) and nonregulated
commodities.
All railroad tank cars are built to specifications,
standards, and requirements established, implemented, and
published by the U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT), Transport Canada (TC), and/or Association of
American Railroads (AAR). These specifications,
standards, and requirements address tank car design, type,
and thickness of material required to be used in
construction, types of fittings, welding procedures,
inspection, maintenance, repair, and quality assurance
system requirements.
Note: Regulatory and railroad industry specifications,
standards, and requirements are contained in: U.S. DOT Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 173 (Subpart B), 174,
179, and 180 (Subpart F); Transport Canada Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Regulations (Transport Canada TDG
Regulations) and Containers for the Transport of Dangerous
Goods by Rail (Standard TP 14877E); and Association of
American Railroads Manual of Standards and Recommended
Practices (MSRP) Section C-III, Specifications for Tank Cars,
Specification M-1002.
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