General information:

TP-1 and TM-1 were one of a kind car classes assembled by the PRR at Sam Rea(Hollidaysburg) in 1966. TM-1 was #500000 and TP-1 was #500001. The tankbodys were built by Berwick because the PRR shops were not AAR certified tankshops. The cars were assembled and painted at Sam Rea and then sent toAltoona where the lining was applied by Lithcote Company. The PRR conductedan employee contest to select names for the new equipment. "Rail Whale" wasselected. Both cars were placed into revenue service to demonstrate to thechemical industry that there were economic merits to shipping by rail in"super bulk" volume. The cars were generaly sucessful and ushered in manyinovations such as dual diameter tank construction, and the ASF three axleride control truck.

Car 500001 was conveyed to the Penn Central and was shopped and painted in1972. The car exchanged its two-tone PRR red and white scheme for a similarPC green and white two tone scheme. I do not know if the car was placed inrevenue service or was assigned to haul company diesel fuel. I came acrossthis car about six or seven years ago at the Conrail Flexi-Flow terminal inPhiladelphia. It was still in its PC green and white but the PRR keystone andlettering were clearly visable. The car was in stationary fuel service atthis facility. Recently Conrail sold this facility and the car was in dangerof being dismantled. I put a hold put on the car and had it assigned to thePavonia Diesel Terminal until I could arrange donation to the Railroad Museumof Pennsylvania. Thats where it wound up about two weeks ago.

Cars on the PRR roster (as listed in the Official Railway Equipment Register (ORER)):

Photos online:

Report Mark	Class	Description	Location	Date	Photographer
PRR 500001	TP1	at museum - in PC paint	Strasburg, Pa.	?	Rob Schoenberg