CGTX 301 series

CGTX's 300-series cars were an odd collection of cars. Although some listings showed the range to be 300-399, this group consisted of three much-smaller groupings of cars: chlorine-canister car 301, acid tanks 351-359, and acid tank 381.

The group was created in late 1937, when CGTX 351 and CGTX 352 were delivered, obviously originally leased to Canadian Industries Limited. These cars were all classed TL (defined as a car of the same general type as an acid tank, but having a special lining such as tin, zinc, aluminum, nickel or rubber in order to prevent corrosion and/or contamination), and were of relatively small capacity, being either 4150 gallons (CGTX 351 and CGTX 356-357) or 6400 gallons (CGTX 352-355 and CGTX 358-359). During the next three years this group was extended to 359, although curiously the first two cars (CGTX 351-352) were removed from this series in 1940 and 1938 respectively, well before the later cars were delivered. Their disposition is unknown, as no similar cars have come to light in the ORERs of the period (one possibility is that they were wrecked, and presumably replaced by a later car). As was the case with many specialty tank cars in this era, CCF subcontracted the actual work to a U.S. builder, in this case General American Transportation, who built 351-352, 355-356 & 358 (and probably the remainder of the 351-series cars as well). The last car rostered was CGTX 358, which was retired in late 1978.

In late 1959 or early 1960 a chlorine-canister car (essentially a flat car designed to hold fifteen one-ton chlorine canisters and classed TMU) was acquired from an unknown source and numbered CGBX 301 (believed to be the former WCX 101, belonging to Western Chemicals Ltd., whose listing in the ORER ceased shortly before this car appeared in CGTX listings). In 1962, the car was reclassified CGTX. This car would be the last occupant of the series, being removed from service in 1989.

Circa 1963, CGTX 381 was the final addition to this series. This car was somewhat larger than the others, being of 8000 gallon capacity, but matched the TL class of the earlier cars. It is not known when this car was retired, but it was certainly off the roster by early 1978 (and based upon quantities in service, was probably gone at least two years earlier).

Essentially a flat car equipped to carry 15 one-ton chlorine containers. Former WCX 101? c/1960, first listed by CGTX as CGBX 301 in 4/1960, and reclassified CGTX in late 1962.

CCF lot 1186.

—CCF builder's photos

CGTX 351 was leased to Canadian Industries Limited when built.

CCF lot 1186. Muriatic acid svc.

—CCF builder's photos

CGTX 352 was leased to Canadian Industries Limited when built.

CCF lot 1289. Muriatic acid svc.

—CCF builder's photo

CGTX 355 was leased to Canadian Industries Limited when built.

CCF lot 1336. Muriatic acid svc.

—CCF builder's photo

CGTX 356 was leased to Canadian Industries Limited when built.

—T.A. Watson photo, Ian Cranstone collection

CGTX 357 shows a much simpler lettering scheme in this 1950s view.

—T.A. Watson photo, Ian Cranstone collection

CGTX 358 in the mid-1950s.

Muriatic acid svc.