lettering for Linde Air for GATC leased tank boxcars

In 1903, a German engineer, Carl von Linde, developed a new cryogenic air separation process that significantly increased the mass production of oxygen, used in metal cutting and welding, munitions and medical needs. In 1907, Linde established the first liquid oxygen factory in Buffalo, N.Y. under the name Linde Air Products Company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The Linde group joined with Union Carbide in 1911, and by 1992 with splits of various subsidiaries into divisions, under the common stock Praxair, employing over 74,000 employees worldwide.

While the basic ingredient of air was free - storage and transportation was very costly. Building on-site plants to supply major customers was one way to solve the transportation problem, but merchant liquid delivery was relegated to tanker truck or railroad box tank cars such as LAPX 134 above, and leased from Pressed Steel Car Co. holding 7,000 gallons. Tanks were owned by Linde Air and installed at Richmond Tank (California) who built the tanks, by removing the roof. Cars rode on 70-ton 5’-8” w.b. trucks. The four groups of cars for transporting cryogenic gases were as follows:

Series 131-180, 50 cars, Pressed Steel Car Co, lessee - delivered November 1941 - 9’-5” I.H. - 7,000 gallon tank
Series 181-383, 203, cars, General American Transportation Corp, lessee - delivered May 1942-1944 - 9’-5” I.H. - 7,000 gallon tank
Series 1001-1020, 16 cars, General American Transportation Corp, lessee -delivered May 1943 - 10’-8” I.H. - 9,700 gallon tank
Series 2001-3199, 130 cars, General American Transportation Corp, lessee -delivered May 1952-1958 - 10’-8” I.H. - 9,700 gallon tank

Paint & Lettering: Cars were painted a medium olive green. Underframe and brake equipment coated with black car cement. Lettering all white stencil paste.

Decal set designed and created at Protocraft Decals
Printed by Microscale Industries