Update August 2010
I am quite fascinated by the range of fuel and petroleum wagons produced by Märklin, Trix, Roco and others. While the model catalogues (particularly Märklin) often give a good overview of the prototypes, it is sometimes difficult to get information.
I found the following site gives very detailed history of most of the German and associated oil companies and distribution systems, and has an emphasis on the road maps they produced.
It covers from the 1920's through to the present.
I hope you might find it helpful if you also have an interest.
http://www.ianbyrne.free-online.co.uk/index.htmOf some interest to me also is the Eurotrains and Idee & Spiel wagon range from Märklin, that seem to have become collectors items.
46511 BV Aral - lettered and painted for era II
46512 Shell - lettered and painted for era II, or perhaps era III DR East Germany (image supplied by eBay seller a-b-k, thankyou, Alfred)

46513 EVA
46514 BP (image supplied by eBay seller a-b-k, thankyou, Alfred)

By way of contrast, here is an earlier production of Märklin HO, #314. Image supplied by eBay seller a-b-k, Germany.

46515 Esso - image supplied by
www.modellbahn.com
46516 VTG
46517 Fuchs Pena Pura
46518 Castrol
46519 Divinol - image supplied by
www.modellbahn.com
46520 (not a tank wagon)
46521 Veedol
46522 Minera
46523 Stinnes Fanal era III (1960) DB 505 389 - limited edition for Eurotrains - image supplied by eBay seller a-b-k Germany.

46524 Persil - I guess this would not be a petroleum wagon - image supplied by eBay seller, UK, mrsud

46525 Sudol - image supplied by perz (user.net member)

46526 Mobiloil era III - limited edition for Eurotrains and Idee+Spiel retailers, Feb 2008 - models showing the flying red horse are not common - image supplied by
www.modellcentrum.de
Two new addtions to my collection are both DEA tankers. DEA tankers seem to come in both green and black. The Märklin research on wagons these days is very good, the background on the DEA logo is a cream colour, not white:
The larger tank of the two here is from set 48810

Märklin have recently released tank cars in sets to run in blocks. One set is 46528
and member Davy has kindly given me permission to show this photo from his layout. The model is another DEA 46528-03:

A Fleischmann VDOM tank car of a similar type to the small DEA, and from the Mannheim area.

Here is a link to my oil tanks page, which theme is not yet complete.
http://www.qldrail.net/altkloster/dboiltanks.htmregards
Kimball
Edited by user 04 August 2010 11:04:32(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified