UNION TANK CAR CO
424B2, 1997-05-28
RAILROAD EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission and declared effective. These securities
     may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time that a
     final prospectus supplement is delivered. This prospectus supplement and
     the accompanying prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
     solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
     securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale
     would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
     securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
 
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 27, 1997
    
 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated January 16, 1997)
 
$150,000,000
 
UNION TANK CAR COMPANY
 
   
      % NOTES DUE 2009
    
 
   
The Notes will mature on June 1, 2009. Interest on the Notes is payable
semiannually in arrears on each June 1 and December 1, commencing December 1,
1997. The Notes may not be redeemed prior to maturity and will not be subject to
any sinking fund.
    
 
All of the Notes initially will be represented by Global Securities (each a
"Global Note"), which will be deposited with The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") and will be registered in the name of its nominee. Beneficial ownership
of the Notes will be limited to institutions that have accounts with DTC
("Participants") or persons that hold interests through Participants. A
beneficial interest in a Global Note will be shown on, and transfers thereof
will be effected only through, records maintained by the Participants. A
beneficial interest in a Global Note will be exchanged for Notes in certificated
form only under the limited circumstances described herein. See "Description of
Debt Securities -- Book-Entry Registration" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               PRICE TO           UNDERWRITING       PROCEEDS TO
                                               PUBLIC(1)          DISCOUNT           COMPANY(1)(2)
<S>                                            <C>                <C>                <C>
Per Note...................................    100.00%            %                  %
Total......................................    $150,000,000       $                  $
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from June   , 1997 to the date of delivery.
    
(2) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company estimated at $       .
 
   
The Notes are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters, to
prior sale and to the Underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in
part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected
that delivery of the Notes will be made through the facilities of The Depository
Trust Company on or about June   , 1997.
    
 
SALOMON BROTHERS INC  MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                                                         INCORPORATED
 
   
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is May   , 1997.
    
<PAGE>   2
 
   
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING
OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN THE NOTES, AND
THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY BIDS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE
"UNDERWRITING".
    
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Notes will be used for
general corporate purposes. Pending any such application, the net proceeds may
be temporarily invested in short-term securities.
 
                           CERTAIN TERMS OF THE NOTES
 
     The following description of the particular terms of the Notes offered
hereby supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces, the
description of the general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities set forth
in the accompanying Prospectus, to which description reference is hereby made.
 
   
     The Notes will be limited to $150,000,000 in aggregate principal amount and
will mature on June 1, 2009. Each Note will bear interest from June   , 1997 at
the annual rate set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement,
payable semiannually in arrears on each June 1 and December 1, commencing
December 1, 1997, to the person in whose name such Note is registered at the
close of business on the preceding May 15 or November 15, as the case may be.
The Notes will be issued in fully registered form only, in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Principal of and interest on the Notes
will be payable, and the transfer of Notes will be registrable, through DTC as
described under "Description of Debt Securities -- Book-Entry Registration" in
the accompanying Prospectus.
    
 
     The Notes will not be redeemable prior to maturity and will not be subject
to any sinking fund.
 
     Settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available funds and
all payments of principal of and interest on the Notes will be made by the
Company in immediately available funds. See "Description of Debt Securities --
Same-Day Settlement" in the accompanying Prospectus.
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated the date hereof, the Underwriters named below have severally
agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell to them, severally, the
principal amounts of Notes set forth opposite their respective names below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
       UNDERWRITER             OF NOTES
       -----------         ----------------
<S>                        <C>
Salomon Brothers Inc.....    $
Morgan Stanley & Co.
  Incorporated...........
                             ------------
     Total...............    $150,000,000
                             ============
</TABLE>
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the Notes are subject to the
approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other
conditions. The Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the Notes
if any are taken.
 
     The Underwriters initially propose to offer all or part of the Notes
directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page
hereof and may offer a portion of the Notes to certain dealers at a price that
represents a concession not in excess of       % of the principal amount of the
Notes. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession
not in excess of       % of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other
dealers. After the initial offering of the Notes, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect
thereof.
 
   
     In connection with the offering of Notes made hereby, the Underwriters may
purchase and sell the Notes in the open market. These transactions may include
over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover short
positions created by the Underwriters in connection with the offering.
Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of
preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes, and short
positions created by the Underwriters involve the sale by the Underwriters of a
greater amount of Notes than they are required to purchase from the Company in
the offering. The Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling
concessions allowed to dealers in respect of the Notes sold in the offering for
their account may be reclaimed by the Underwriters if such Notes are repurchased
by the Underwriters in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities
may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Notes, which
may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market;
and these activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These
transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
    
 
     The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on a national
securities exchange, but has been advised by the Underwriters that they
presently intend to make a market in the Notes as permitted by applicable laws
and regulations. The Underwriters are not obligated, however, to make a market
in the Notes and any such market-making may be discontinued at any time at the
sole discretion of either Underwriter. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as
to the liquidity of, or trading market for, the Notes.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                  $400,000,000
 
                             UNION TANK CAR COMPANY
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
                            ------------------------
 
     Union Tank Car Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may offer
from time to time, in one or more series, up to $400,000,000 aggregate principal
amount (or the equivalent in foreign currencies or currency units) of its debt
securities ("Debt Securities"), on terms to be determined at the time the Debt
Securities are offered for sale. Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus
Supplement, the Debt Securities of any series may be represented by a single
global certificate registered in the name of a depository's nominee and, if so
represented, beneficial interests in the global certificate will be shown on,
and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the
depository and its participants. Debt Securities may be offered through
underwriters, dealers or agents. The names of any underwriters, dealers or
agents and any compensation to such underwriters, dealers or agents will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The terms of the Debt Securities, including, where applicable, the specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, authorized denominations, currencies in
which such Debt Securities are issued or payable, maturity, rate (or manner of
calculation thereof) and time of payment of interest, if any, whether the Debt
Securities are issuable in registered form or bearer form or both, whether any
series of the Debt Securities will be represented by a single global
certificate, any terms for redemption or for sinking fund payments, whether the
Debt Securities are convertible into Debt Securities of a different series, the
initial public offering price, the net proceeds to the Company from the sale of
the Debt Securities and any other specific terms in connection with the offering
and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                            ------------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
     This Prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of Debt Securities
unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                The date of this Prospectus is January 16, 1997.
<PAGE>   5
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
with respect to the Debt Securities. This Prospectus, which forms a part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information pertaining
to the Debt Securities and the Company, reference is made to the Registration
Statement. Any statement contained herein concerning the provisions of any
document is not necessarily complete and, in each instance, reference is made to
the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
otherwise filed with the Commission.
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports and other information with the Commission. Information
concerning the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Chicago
Regional Office, Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661 and New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300,
New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Such materials also may be accessed
electronically by means of the Commission's home page on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995 filed on March 11, 1996, as amended by Form 10-K/A filed on May 3, 1996
and by Form 10-K/A filed on May 17, 1996, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996, as
filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, are incorporated herein
by reference.
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Debt Securities shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, or contained in
this Prospectus, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon written request of such person, a copy (without
exhibits) of any or all documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
Requests for such copies should be directed to the General Counsel and
Secretary, Union Tank Car Company, 225 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois
60606, telephone (312) 372-9500.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Union Tank Car Company (with its wholly-owned subsidiaries herein
collectively referred to, except as the context otherwise requires, as the
"Company") is principally engaged in the leasing of railway tank cars and other
rail cars to United States, Canadian and Mexican manufacturers and other
shippers of chemical products, including liquid fertilizers, petroleum products,
including liquid petroleum gas, food products and bulk plastics. The Company
owns and operates one of the largest fleets of privately-owned railway tank cars
in the world.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
     The Company, which was incorporated in Delaware in 1980 and is the
successor to a business which was incorporated in New Jersey in 1891 and
reincorporated in Delaware in 1968, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marmon
Industrial Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marmon Holdings, Inc.
Substantially all the stock of Marmon Holdings, Inc. is owned, directly or
indirectly, by trusts for the benefit of certain members of the Pritzker family.
As used herein, "Pritzker family" refers to the lineal descendants of Nicholas
J. Pritzker, deceased.
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located at 225 West
Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606, and its telephone number is (312)
372-9500.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of Debt
Securities will be added to the general funds of the Company and may be used to
finance the addition of railcars to the Company's fleet and other capital
expenditures, to finance acquisitions, to repay outstanding indebtedness, or for
other corporate purposes or as may be described in a Prospectus Supplement. The
Company has not allocated a specific portion of the proceeds for any particular
use at this time. Pending such use, the net proceeds may be temporarily invested
in short-term securities.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions
of the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The
particular terms and provisions of the series of Debt Securities offered by a
Prospectus Supplement, including any additional covenants or changes to existing
covenants relating to such series, and the extent to which such general terms
and provisions described below may apply thereto, will be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Debt Securities.
 
     The Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
January 16, 1997, as supplemented (the "Debt Indenture"), between the Company
and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee (the "Debt Trustee"). The
following summaries of certain provisions of the Debt Securities and the Debt
Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Debt Securities and the
Debt Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Particular
sections of the Debt Indenture which are relevant to the discussion are cited
parenthetically. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the Debt
Indenture are referred to, it is intended that such sections or defined terms
shall be incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Debt
Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities which can
be issued thereunder or the amount of debt which may otherwise be incurred by
the Company, and additional debt securities may be issued under the Debt
Indenture up to the aggregate principal amount which may be authorized from time
to time by, or pursuant to a resolution of, the Company's Board of Directors or
by a supplemental indenture. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for
the following terms, if applicable, of the particular series of Debt Securities
being offered thereby: (i) the title of the Debt Securities of the series; (ii)
any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the
series; (iii) the date or dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities of
the series will be payable; (iv) the rate or rates (or manner of calculation
thereof), if any, at which the Debt Securities of the series will bear interest,
the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue and on which such
interest will be payable, and, with respect to Debt Securities of the series in
registered form, the record date for the interest payable on any interest
payment date; (v) the place or places where the principal of and interest, if
any, on the Debt Securities of the series will be payable; (vi) any redemption
or sinking fund provisions; (vii) the denominations in which Debt Securities of
the series shall be issuable; (viii) if other than the principal amount thereof,
the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which will
be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; (ix)
whether the Debt Securities of the series will be issuable in registered or
bearer form or both, any
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Debt Securities in
bearer form ("bearer Debt Securities") and whether and the terms upon which
bearer Debt Securities will be exchangeable for Debt Securities in registered
form ("registered Debt Securities") and vice versa; (x) any provisions relating
to the conversion of Debt Securities of the series into Debt Securities of a
different series; (xi) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
additional amounts on the Debt Securities of the series held by a person who is
not a U.S. person (as defined below) in respect of taxes or similar charges
withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to
redeem such Debt Securities rather than pay such additional amounts; (xii) the
currencies in which payments of interest, premium or principal are payable with
respect to such Debt Securities; (xiii) whether the Debt Securities of any
series will be issued as one or more Global Securities; (xiv) whether Debt
Securities of the series will be issuable in Tranches; and (xv) any additional
provisions or other terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the Debt
Indenture, including any terms which may be required by or advisable under
United States laws or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing
of Debt Securities of such series. (Section 2.1 and 2.2) To the extent not
described herein, principal and interest, if any, will be payable, and the Debt
Securities of a particular series will be transferable, in the manner described
in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. "Principal" when used
herein includes, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Debt Securities.
 
     Each series of Debt Securities will constitute unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Company and will rank on a parity with the Company's other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. There are no covenants or "event
risk" provisions contained in the Debt Indenture that may afford holders of Debt
Securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving
the Company.
 
     Debt Securities of any series may be issued as registered Debt Securities
or bearer Debt Securities or both as specified in the terms of the series.
Additionally, Debt Securities of any series may be represented by a single
global note registered in the name of a depository's nominee and, if so
represented, beneficial interests in such global note will be shown on, and
transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by a
designated depository and its participants. Unless otherwise indicated in the
Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities will be issued in the denomination of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof and bearer Debt Securities will not be
offered, sold, resold or delivered to U.S. persons in connection with their
original issuance. Debt Securities of any series may be denominated in and
payments of principal and interest may be made in United States dollars or any
other currency, including composite currencies such as the European Currency
Unit. For purposes of this Prospectus, "U.S. person" means a citizen or resident
of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof, or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source.
 
     To the extent set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, except in special
circumstances set forth in the Debt Indenture, interest on bearer Debt
Securities will be payable only against presentation and surrender of the
coupons for the interest installments evidenced thereby as they mature at a
paying agency of the Company located outside of the United States and its
possessions. (Section 2.5(c)) The Company will maintain such an agency for a
period of two years after the principal of such bearer Debt Securities has
become due and payable. During any period thereafter for which it is necessary
in order to conform to United States tax laws or regulations, the Company will
maintain a paying agent outside of the United States and its possessions to
which the bearer Debt Securities and coupons related thereto may be presented
for payment and will provide the necessary funds therefor to such paying agent
upon reasonable notice. (Section 2.4)
 
     Bearer Debt Securities and the coupons related thereto will be transferable
by delivery. (Section 2.8(f))
 
     If appropriate, United States federal income tax consequences applicable to
a series of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.
 
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
 
     If the Prospectus Supplement so indicates, the Debt Securities will be
represented by one or more certificates (the "Global Securities"). The Global
Securities representing Debt Securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of,
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or other successor depository appointed by
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
the Company (DTC or such other depository is herein referred to as the
"Depository") and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee. Debt
Securities represented by a Global Security will not be issuable in definitive
form.
 
     DTC currently limits the maximum denomination of any single Global Security
to $200,000,000. Therefore, for purposes hereof, "Global Security" refers to the
Global Security or Global Securities representing the entire issue of Debt
Securities of a particular series.
 
     DTC has advised the Company and any underwriters, dealers or agents named
in the Prospectus Supplement as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal
Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York
Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold
securities for its participants ("DTC Participants") and to facilitate the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions between DTC Participants
through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of DTC Participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and
clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC book-entry system is also
available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies, that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant,
either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
 
     Upon the issuance by the Company of Debt Securities represented by a Global
Security, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system,
the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities represented by such
Global Security to the accounts of DTC Participants. The accounts to be credited
shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents. Ownership of
beneficial interests in the Global Security will be limited to DTC Participants
and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Debt Securities
represented by the Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect
to interests of DTC Participants), or by DTC Participants or Indirect
Participants (with respect to persons other than DTC Participants). The laws of
some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery
of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depository for the Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of the Global Security, the Depository or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Debt Indenture.
Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Debt Securities
represented by the Global Security will not be entitled to have Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Debt Securities in definitive
form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Debt
Indenture.
 
     Payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities
represented by the Global Security registered in the name of DTC or its nominee
will be made by the Company through the Debt Trustee under the Debt Indenture or
a paying agent (the "Paying Agent"), which may also be the Debt Trustee under
the Debt Indenture, to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered
owner of the Global Security. Neither the Company, the Debt Trustee, nor the
Paying Agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of the Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
     The Company has been advised that DTC, upon receipt of any payment of
principal or interest in respect of a Global Security, will credit immediately
the accounts of DTC Participants with payment in amounts proportionate to their
respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interest in such Global
Security as shown on the records of DTC. The Company expects that payments by
DTC Participants to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be
governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now
the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or
registered in "street name" and will be the responsibility of such DTC
Participants.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
     If the Depository with respect to a Global Security is at any time
unwilling or unable to continue as Depository and a successor Depository is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue certificated
notes in exchange for the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security.
 
     The information contained in this section concerning DTC and DTC's
book-entry system has been obtained from sources that the Company believes to be
reliable but the Company takes no responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT
 
     If the Prospectus Supplement so indicates, settlement for the Debt
Securities will be made by the underwriters, dealers or agents in immediately
available funds and all payments of principal and interest on the Debt
Securities will be made by the Company in immediately available funds. Secondary
trading in long-term notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally
settled in clearinghouse or next-day funds. In contrast, the Debt Securities
subject to settlement in immediately available funds will trade in the
Depository's Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and secondary
market trading activity in such Debt Securities will therefore be required by
the Depository to settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be
given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on
trading activity in the Debt Securities.
 
EXCHANGE OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Registered Debt Securities may be exchanged, subject to certain specified
restrictions, for an equal aggregate principal amount of registered Debt
Securities of the same series and date of maturity in such authorized
denominations as may be requested upon surrender of the registered Debt
Securities at an agency of the Company maintained for such purpose and upon
fulfillment of all other requirements of such agent. (Section 2.8(a))
 
     To the extent permitted by the terms of a series of Debt Securities
authorized to be issued in registered form and bearer form, bearer Debt
Securities may be exchanged for an equal aggregate principal amount of
registered or bearer Debt Securities of the same series and date of maturity in
such authorized denominations as may be requested upon surrender of the bearer
Debt Securities with all unpaid coupons relating thereto at an agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose and upon fulfillment of all other
requirements of such agent. (Section 2.8(b)) As of the date of this prospectus,
temporary United States Treasury regulations essentially prohibit exchanges of
registered debt securities for bearer debt securities and, unless such
regulations are modified, the terms of a series of debt securities will not
permit registered debt securities to be exchanged for bearer debt securities.
 
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
 
     Subject to certain exceptions, the Debt Indenture and the Debt Securities
may be amended or supplemented by the Company and the Debt Trustee with the
written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by the amendment or
supplement (with each series voting as a class), or compliance with any
provision may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by
such waiver (with each series voting as a class). However, without the consent
of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not (i) reduce the
amount of Debt Securities whose holders must consent to an amendment or waiver,
(ii) change the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Debt
Security; (iii) change the principal of or change the Stated Maturity of any
Debt Security; (iv) reduce any premium payable upon redemption of any Debt
Security; (v) waive a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on
any Debt Security; (vi) make any Debt Security payable in money other than that
stated in the Debt Security; or (vii) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security. (Section
9.02) The Debt Indenture may be amended or supplemented without the consent of
any Securityholder (i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the
Debt Indenture or in the Debt Securities of any series; (ii) to provide for the
assumption of all the obligations of the Company
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
under the Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and under the
Debt Indenture by any corporation in connection with a merger, consolidation, or
transfer or lease of the Company's property and assets substantially as an
entirety, as provided for in the Debt Indenture; (iii) to secure the Debt
Securities; (iv) to provide for uncertificated Debt Securities in addition to or
in place of certificated Debt Securities; (v) to make any change that does not
adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder; (vi) to provide for the
issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of a series of Debt
Securities or to establish the form of any certifications required to be
furnished pursuant to the terms of the Debt Indenture or any series of Debt
Securities; or (vii) to add to rights of Securityholders. (Section 9.1)
 
SUCCESSOR ENTITY
 
     The Company may consolidate with, or merge into, or be merged into, or
transfer or lease its property and assets substantially as an entirety to,
another U.S. corporation which assumes all the obligations of the Company under
the Debt Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and under the Debt
Indenture if, after giving effect thereto, no default under the Debt Indenture
shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, all such obligations of the Company shall terminate. (Section 5.1 and
Section 5.2)
 
DEFEASANCE, SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF THE DEBT SECURITIES PRIOR TO MATURITY
 
     Defeasance. Unless provided for otherwise in the Prospectus Supplement, if
the Company shall deposit with the Debt Trustee, in trust, at or before
maturity, lawful money or direct obligations of the United States of America or
obligations the principal of and interest on which are guaranteed by the United
States of America in such amounts and maturing at such times that the proceeds
of such obligations to be received upon the respective maturities and interest
payment dates of such obligations will provide funds sufficient, in the opinion
of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants chosen by the
Company, to pay when due the principal of and interest on the Debt Securities to
maturity (such money or direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the
United States of America, initially deposited or equivalent cash or securities
subsequently exchanged therefor, to be held as security for the payment of such
principal and interest), then the Company may omit to comply with certain of the
terms of the Debt Indenture as they relate to the Debt Securities, and the Event
of Default described in clause (iv) under the caption "Description of Debt
Securities -- Events of Default," and such other Events of Default as may be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement. Defeasance of the Debt Securities would be
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among others, (i)
the absence of an Event of Default at the date of the deposit, (ii) the
perfection of the holders' interest in such deposit and (iii) that such deposit
would not result in a breach of a material instrument by which the Company is
bound. (Section 8.2)
 
     Satisfaction and Discharge. Upon the deposit of money or securities
contemplated above and the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Company may
omit to comply with its obligations duly and punctually to pay the principal of
and interest on the Debt Securities, or with any Events of Default with respect
thereto, and thereafter the holders of Debt Securities shall be entitled only to
payment out of the money or securities deposited with the Debt Trustee. Such
conditions may include, among others, (i) except in certain limited
circumstances involving a deposit made within one year of maturity, (A) the
absence of an Event of Default at the date of deposit or on the 91st day
thereafter, and (B) the delivery to the Debt Trustee by the Company of an
opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel to the effect that holders of Debt
Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and discharge and will be subject to
Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same
times as would have been the case if such deposit and discharge had not
occurred, and (ii) the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the
effect that such satisfaction and discharge will not result in a violation of
the rules of any nationally recognized exchange on which the Debt Securities are
listed. (Section 8.1)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following events are defined in the Debt Indenture as "Events of
Default" with respect to a series of Debt Securities: (i) default in the payment
of interest on any Debt Security of such series for 30 days;
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
(ii) default in the payment of the principal of any Debt Security of such
series; (iii) default in the payment of any sinking fund installment required to
be made by the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities; (iv)
failure by the Company for 90 days after notice to it to comply with any of its
other agreements in the Debt Securities of such series, in the Debt Indenture or
in any supplemental indenture under which the Debt Securities of that series may
have been issued; and (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. (Section
6.1) If an Event of Default occurs with respect to the Debt Securities of any
series and is continuing, the Debt Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of all of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series may
declare the principal (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are original
issue discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be
specified in the terms of that series) of, and any accrued interest on, all the
Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable. Upon such declaration,
such principal (or, in the case of original issue discount Debt Securities, such
specified amount) and all accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable
immediately. (Section 6.2)
 
     Securityholders may not enforce the Debt Indenture or the Debt Securities,
except as provided in the Debt Indenture. (Section 6.6) The Debt Trustee may
require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Debt Indenture or
the Debt Securities. (Section 7.1(f)) Subject to certain limitations, holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected
(with each series voting as a class) may direct the Debt Trustee in its exercise
of any trust power. (Section 6.5) The Debt Trustee may withhold from
Securityholders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of
principal or interest) if it determines in good faith that withholding notice is
in their interests. (Section 7.5) The Company is not required under the Debt
Indenture to furnish any periodic evidence as to the absence of default or as to
compliance with the terms of the Debt Indenture.
 
CONCERNING THE DEBT TRUSTEE
 
     Harris Trust and Savings Bank ("Harris Bank") serves as trustee under an
Equipment Trust Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1990, between the Company
and Harris Bank and under a Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of January
16, 1997, between the Company and Harris Bank. In addition, Harris Bank provides
customary banking services to the Company and certain of its affiliates.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Debt Securities being offered hereby: (i) through
agents, (ii) to or through underwriters, (iii) through dealers or (iv) through a
combination of any such methods of sale.
 
     The distribution of the Debt Securities may be effected from time to time
in one or more transactions either (i) at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, or (ii) at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, or (iii) at
prices related to such prevailing market prices, or (iv) at negotiated prices.
 
     Offers to purchase Debt Securities may be solicited directly by agents
designated by the Company from time to time. Any such agent, which may be deemed
to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act, involved in
the offer or sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company to such
agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale, the Company
will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters at the time of
sale to them and the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction,
including commissions, discounts and other compensation of the underwriters and
dealers, if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be
used by the underwriters to make resales of the Debt Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered to the public.
 
     If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Debt Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is delivered, the Company will sell such Debt Securities
to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Debt Securities to
the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of
resale.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified
institutions to purchase Debt Securities from the Company at the public offering
price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be
subject only to those conditions set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and the
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of
such contracts.
 
     Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled, under
agreements which may be entered into with the Company, to indemnification
against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in
transactions with or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of
business.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement to this Prospectus,
certain legal matters in connection with the Debt Securities offered hereby will
be passed upon for the Company by Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, Chicago, Illinois,
and for any underwriters or agents, by Mayer, Brown & Platt, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Union Tank Car Company appearing
in Union Tank Car Company's Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for the year ended
December 31, 1995, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors,
as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION, OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND
THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF
AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH OR TO ANY PERSON TO
WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       PAGE
                                       ----
<S>                                    <C>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
Use of Proceeds......................  S-2
Certain Terms of the Notes...........  S-2
Underwriting.........................  S-3
 
PROSPECTUS
 
Available Information................    2
Documents Incorporated by Reference..    2
The Company..........................    2
Use of Proceeds......................    3
Description of Debt Securities.......    3
Plan of Distribution.................    8
Legal Opinions.......................    9
Experts..............................    9
</TABLE>
 
         $150,000,000
 
         UNION TANK CAR
         COMPANY
 
   
             % NOTES DUE 2009
    
 
         SALOMON BROTHERS INC
 
         MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                          INCORPORATED
 
         PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
   
         DATED MAY   , 1997
    


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