Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion 1932 North Carolina Train Delivery of Gas

My name is Greg McGann. I work for Quality Oil Company, Winston Salem NC. Im doing a bit more of our history for the reworking of our web site. An area of history that we do not have alot on, is the "Transport" end of the business. We have alot of old pictures of trucks and what not, but Im focusing on how the gasoline got from the coast of NC to the various stations.

We started our own trucking firm here in the 40's, so Im covered there, however some old timers here said in the very early days - fuel reached this area of NC by train. Any thoughts? We have been a Shell jobber in NC since 1929. Anyplace I can look for the early days of gas transport, Ive been all over the web but haven't succeeded yet.

Good morning Greg , I have some pictures being developed now that will help you , the very first filling stations were where the old delivery stables were , tran-tank cars brought fuel in to that point , the tanks at the stables were high on a mound and gravity fad to were they could put it in the carts , if there was an other depot at the other end of town they transported it buy horse an wagon , they also used horse and wagon to haul oil from the wells ponds to the refineries un til they came up with a pumping system that would pump crude oil which was very thick , but i have pictures of some of this , hope this helps you for now ,

Greg -

I've e-mailed you some notes (based on my recollections from growing up in a TEXACO bulk plant) which might be of help.

- Jim

------------------
Jim Hinds
Columbus, Indiana