A clipped term commonly used by train crews to refer to a tank car, which carries liquid or compressed gas commodities. In the steam era, the term referred specifically to the water cistern on a locomotive tender or the wayside water tower used to refill it.
Heard on the job
We need to spot that loaded chlorine tank at the chemical plant before we tie up.
Do not mix it up with
- Tank car: Tank is the casual shorthand; tank car is the formal equipment name.