Out West

LPG has played an important role in the West since the early 20th century. In BPN’s September 1939 issue, an article, titled “Wasatch Oil Refining Co. Pioneers Butane-Propane Field in Utah,” included these photos of LPG-powered vehicles hard at work.

Top: General merchandise truck operating between Salt Lake City and Twin Falls, Idaho; and gravel truck in Salt Lake City street department fleet.

Center: Two 1800-gal. butane tanks at Salt Lake dispensing station of Wasatch Oil Refining Co. The pump was capable of loading 25 gallons per minute and no vapor return connection was necessary.

Below: City street roller works economically on butane and was the first butane-equipped job in Utah; and an International truck and trailer delivering 5700 gal. of gasoline to distributing stations.