How should a rack and tank railcar combination be grounded?

Grounding a rack and tank railcar combination is crucial for ensuring safety during the handling and transfer of flammable liquids. The correct method of grounding is to connect the track to the shell of the railcar, which effectively dissipates any static electricity that may accumulate. This action reduces the risk of sparks that could ignite flammable vapors, especially in the presence of fuel or other hazardous materials.

In this context, grounding the track to the shell of the cargo tank provides a direct path for electrical discharge, thus minimizing the potential for ignition sources. Other methods, such as rack to track or rack to tank connections, might not establish an effective grounding pathway necessary for safe operations. Because of the importance of dissipating static charge away from the point of fuel transfer, grounding in this manner is recognized as the best practice in the industry.