Re: Hauling Gasoline On The Sumpter Valley Ry.

Modern rules - you have to know what you are dealing with. For example, gasoline is flammable and requires five buffers if available, or all available less than 5 but not less than one next to the engine, occupied caboose, anything with a stove or engine (mechanical reefer). Diesel on the other hand is combustible (higher flash point) and as I recall doesn't have any train placement or switching restrictions.

The regulations are clear as mud and have confusing exceptions. For instance, a loaded propane car has all the restrictions, but a residue propane car can be against a running reefer but never against a live or dead engine in a train. And - if a DOE or DOD shipment is being escorted, none of the rules apply.

I wonder with a steam loco they would count the tender as a qualifying buffer? In modern days ”one buffer" can be a car 30’ to 90' long....

So the next question - where in Baker did the transfer the tank car loads? The typical standard to narrow gage transfer takes advantage of gravity with tracks at different levels. Also, since it usually takes two or three narrow gage tanks to empty a standard gage tank there's often more than one ng tank. I believe it was also common practice for the oil company to own the tank itself while the railroad was responsible for supplying the car it was mounted on. Obviously the Gramps and related UTLX cars were an exception.