I think it may have been an error, see the description below of what "LF" stands for. If it was applied in error and never changed it would become the standard until someone realized it was wrong. Happens all the time in business. Maybe someone wanted to designate it the contents as "liquid fuel"? Who knows, but it's there and should be added for historical purposes but the meaning of it will be a mystery unless something in an AFE or memo from a higher up is discovered on stenciling practices. I also did a quick look at all the tank car photos I have and also in the Dorman collection and I didn't see one Gramps or UTLX car with the "LF" on the dome. Based on the photo provided in the top of this thread we know it was there at one time, but again points to the stencil being applied as an error. Just my 2 cents, but adding it may not be accurate unless you narrowed down what years that stencil was there and if it fit the era the preserved car was representing.
LF – A flat car equipped to handle one or more demountable containers for the transportation of commodities not under refrigeration. Note: not applicable to flat cars designed to handle containers in TOFC/COFC service or containers handling setup vehicles.
William
aka drgwk37
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2021 09:21AM by drgwk37.