Name/Title
B+W photo of Borden's all-metal, streamlined refrigerated milk tank car, n.p. (Hoboken?), Feb. 1936.Entry/Object ID
2014.001.0004Description
Black-and-white photo of Borden's all-metal, streamlined refrigerated milk tank car, no place (Hoboken?), February 1936.
8" x 10" print. Photograph taken by International Commercial Photo Co., New York, N.Y. Mounted on reverse is a four paragraph typewritten carbon story about the car. Also dated file inkstamp: Ref. Dept. 2-17 36 N.E.A. [Newspaper Editors Association]
Apparently a press release photograph with description and details about the car. See notes for full text of their story. Place where photo was taken is not stated, possibly Hoboken but probably at the Borden shops (where they built the exterior cover on an existing car.) Story does state that it was placed in service in Hoboken.
A heavily retouched photo (removing the background) with enhanced detail including lettering on car, access door, rails and handles and outlining the distinctive fin along the top. Lettered: Borden's; Milk Tank Car. B.F.I.X.-537.
This tank car was not the first refrigerated milk tank car, but the streamlined design was a first. Only 35 were ever made and the fin along the top was removed during World War II as part of scrap metal drives for war production. Also noteworthy is that the capacity was stated in the story on the back as "two 12,000 quart" tanks, although the car body itself was marked in gallons: Cap. 6000 Gal.
Paint scheme is not stated.
See library 2010.007.0077 for an August 1941 B+W photo of this style tank car (B.F.I.X. 534) in the passenger shed at Lackawanna Terminal, Hoboken. Published with caption on page 23 in Railway Milk Cars. Volume 4. (DL&W Milk Cars Part 2.) By Robert R. Bahrs. [Ansonia, CT]: [Bob's Photos], (2005).
----
The shape of the car's outline has led to it being nicknamed the "Butter Dish" or "Butterdish" milk car.Acquisition
Accession
2014.001Source or Donor
PurchaseAcquisition Method
PurchaseCredit Line
Museum Collections.Made/Created
Artist
International Commercial Photo Co.Date made
1936General Notes
Note
Notes: Photos 2014.001.0004
text of caption / story on reverse
====
First All-Metal, Stream-Line Milk Tank Car Put Into N.Y. Service.
The first all-metal, stream-line milk tank railroad car ever built, refrigerated so that even in summer milk can be transported 200 miles with a rise of not more than one degree, was recently "launched" at Hoboken, N.J. by H.A. Cronk, President of the Borden's Farm Product Division of The Borden Company. The car was immediately placed in service in the New York area.
This giant "thermos bottle" throws additional safeguards around the safety and purity of the milk of city dwellers. It is the product of continuous research conducted by Borden with a view to improving equipment and service. All future replacements to the present 60 tank cars will be of the stream-line type.
Fifty per cent better refrigeration will be brought about by the use of six inches of cork insulation between the two 12,000 quart glass lined steel tanks in the car and the all-steel outside. Tests indicate that the all-metal construction will result in lower repair and painting costs and much longer service.
The new car is equipped with standard passenger train brakes and trucks, so it can be coupled to fast passenger trains for speedier milk service from outlying dairy districts to the metropolitan area. The car was built under the supervision of E.J. Lockwood, Borden's General Engineer.
====
====
Original or Copy: Original
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2014-01-14
