What is the typical capacity range for a rail tank car?

The correct answer is based on standard specifications for rail tank cars, which are designed to transport liquids, including petroleum products. Typically, rail tank cars have a capacity ranging from about 6,000 to 16,000 gallons. This range allows for the efficient transport of large volumes of liquid while also considering safety and structural integrity.

Tank cars designed for petroleum service often fall within this capacity range, reflecting the need for transporting significant quantities of crude oil, gasoline, and other refined products. Choices outside of this range either represent smaller or larger capacities that are not common for standard rail tank cars used in the petroleum industry.

By acknowledging this capacity range, one can understand how rail transport fits into the larger logistics of petroleum supply chains.