48 Nebraskaland • November 2024
Fish Cars
Fish cars were used on
railways to carry eggs
from other states, such as
Massachusetts, Michigan,
Missouri and Wisconsin, to
Nebraska. These cars were
the best in service at that
time, made specifically for
hauling fish long distances.
Equipped with fish tanks
instead of seats, water was
kept running over the tanks
to keep the air supply at
appropriate levels for the
fish. There were also living
quarters on board for fish
crews.
The Antelope was the first
fish car to service Nebraska
in 1889. It was a wooden-
framed car and would
eventually be replaced by
a modern metal car. The
Angler was the original name
of Nebraska's second fish car,
later named the Waltonian.
This car serviced Nebraska
and Rock Creek with fish
deliveries until around 1931.
When the trains stopped
at a depot or near a
stocking location, fish were
taken off the fish car and
transported the rest of the
way by horse and cart in
milk cans, by baggage or
other means of less-than-
superior transportation over
sometimes undeveloped
terrain.
Fish rearing evolved, and
fry were no longer taken
from hatcheries and dumped
into lakes, ponds and
streams. Instead, they were
placed in nurseries where
food was abundant and they
could grow to larger sizes.
The fish cars would
eventually be replaced by
trucks, increasing stockings
from 10-15 per day up to 50
at about the same cost. By
1930, a fleet of fish trucks
equipped with ice and
oxygen were placed into
service.
The Commission's second fi sh car was originally named the Angler, later named
the Waltonian. Millions of fi sh were transported to waters throughout the state in
this railroad car until around 1931. Circa 1910. NSHS RG0031
Interior view of the above photo fi sh car, the Angler, showing the tanks. Circa
1918. NGPC LIBRARY
Live trout transport tank on truck from the Rock Creek Hatchery. Undated.
NGPC LIBRARY
