Railcars Flashcards
What does a DOT-111 tank car transport?
Non-pressurized liquids or solids.
What does a DOT-105 tank car transport?
Pressurized gases.
What type of tank car carries cryogenic liquids?
Cryogenic tank cars.
Are DOT-117 tank cars pressurized or non-pressurized?
Non-pressurized.
What material is typically transported in a DOT-112 tank car?
Liquefied compressed gases.
Which tank car has thicker walls: DOT-111 or DOT-105?
DOT-105.
What is the purpose of a vacuum-insulated cryogenic tank car?
To maintain extremely low temperatures for liquefied gases.
Does a pressurized tank car have a bottom outlet valve?
No.
What railcar type is used to transport ethanol or crude oil?
DOT-111.
What does the ‘A’ in DOT-111A100W1 indicate?
Welded construction.
Which railcar type has an outer jacket for thermal protection?
Double-wall tank car.
What kind of tank car is commonly used for hazardous flammable liquids?
DOT-117.
Are cryogenic tank cars single-wall or double-wall?
Double-wall with vacuum insulation.
What does a non-jacketed tank car lack?
Insulation or external protection.
Which tank cars transport refrigerated liquefied gases?
Cryogenic tank cars.
What does ‘DOT’ stand for on a tank car stencil?
Department of Transportation.
What does the marking ‘286K GRL’ mean?
Gross Rail Load of 286,000 pounds.
What does ‘LD LMT’ mean?
Load Limit (maximum cargo weight).
What does ‘LT WT’ mean?
Light Weight (empty car weight).
What does ‘CAPY’ mean?
Capacity (volume of the tank in gallons or liters).
What does ‘10/32’ mean on a tank car?
Shell and head thickness in inches or gauge.
Where are stencils indicating tank car specifications located?
On both sides of the tank car.
What does ‘FRA-2025’ mean?
Last Federal Railroad Administration certification year.
What is stenciled on the side of a railcar to indicate its contents?
Commodity name (e.g., ‘LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS’).
What information is displayed on hazard placards?
UN number and hazard class.
What color placard indicates flammable liquids?
Red.
What color placard indicates toxic substances?
White.
What hazard class does a yellow placard represent?
Oxidizers (Class 5).
What hazard class does a green placard represent?
Non-flammable gases (Class 2).
What does ‘THERMALLY PROTECTED’ mean on a tank car?
The tank car has thermal protection against heat or fire.
What is the cylindrical body of a tank car called?
Tank shell.
What are the rounded ends of the tank car called?
Heads.
What is the purpose of a manway?
Provides access for inspection and maintenance.
What does a PRD do?
Prevents overpressurization by venting excess pressure.
What are the two types of PRDs?
- Spring-loaded PRVs
- Rupture discs
Where are loading and unloading valves located on a tank car?
On top of the tank or at the bottom outlet (non-pressurized cars).
What is the function of a vapor valve?
Allows for pressure equalization and vapor release.
What protects the insulation on a double-wall tank car?
Outer metal jacket.
What is the purpose of a head shield?
Prevents punctures during collisions.
What prevents railcars from disconnecting during accidents?
Double-shelf couplers.
What protects bottom outlet valves?
A metal skid or cage.
What kind of valve design minimizes leaks in derailments?
Shear valves.
Which part of the railcar helps in fire emergencies?
Thermal protection layers.
What is a manway cover used for?
Secures the manway, preventing leaks.
Where are safety placards placed on a railcar?
On all four sides of the tank car.
Do liquid lines run parallel or perpendicular to the railcar’s length?
Parallel.
Do vapor lines run parallel or perpendicular to the railcar’s length?
Perpendicular.
Which line has an internal pipe extending to the bottom of the tank?
Liquid line.
Which valve connects to a vapor return system?
Vapor valve.
Which valve is larger: liquid or vapor?
Liquid valve.
What is the main purpose of a vapor valve during unloading?
Pressure equalization.
What does a small release from a vapor valve produce?
Mist or gas.
What does a small release from a liquid valve produce?
Liquid stream.
Which valve feels cooler during operation: liquid or vapor?
Liquid.
True or False: Vapor valves are located across the width of the railcar.
True.
True or False: Liquid valves are always smaller than vapor valves.
False.
What is the key difference between liquid and vapor line placement?
Liquid lines are parallel to the tank’s length; vapor lines are perpendicular.
What safety feature connects liquid lines to prevent vacuum formation?
Vapor return system.
What is the primary hazard of a leaking liquid valve?
Pooling and runoff.
What is the primary hazard of a leaking vapor valve?
Gas dispersion.
Where is the handbrake located on a railcar?
On the B-end of the railcar.
What marking identifies the side of the railcar with the handbrake?
‘B-End.’
True or False: The A-end of the railcar has no handbrake.
True.
What does ‘FRA’ stand for?
Federal Railroad Administration.
True or False: A jacketed tank car always has visible saddle welds.
False.
What kind of tank car has visible saddle welds?
Single-wall tank cars.
How do double-wall tank cars protect their contents?
With insulation between the inner tank and outer jacket.
What prevents thermal expansion in a pressurized tank car?
Pressure Relief Device (PRD).
Where are UN identification numbers displayed?
On hazard placards.
What is the primary purpose of a recessed valve cavity?
Protect bottom outlet valves from direct impact.
