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.htm

Of 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.htm


regards
Kimball

Edited by user 04 August 2010 11:04:32(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Kimball,

I am not convinced that the 46511 and 46512 are Era II Wile they are letterered for the Deutsche Reichsbahn, they have the wrong brakemans cab (it looks like presed steel to me rather that a woodern one). I ctually think therefore that they are in fact Era III east German wagons.

Still nice wagons. I suppose you will want pictures of them now!

Hi Kimball,

I may be wrong, but I definately think it is a 1950's outline brakemans cab.

I have to admit that they were an impulse buy at a Wellington Railex show a few years ago. I liked their bulkyness compared to "standard" tank cars. Since I got the Brawa tank cars, these two (like a lot of my stuff) have sat in their boxes and are not seen on the layout very often at all.

if i see all the nice coloured tank waggons which are on the market i get in mind all the 'fantasy' beer waggons which had been produced in order to pull the money out of the pockets of collectors...i you have a look from a prototype point of view (germany, era III ) the vast majority of these waggons were EVA or VTG ones, both companies leased these waggons to companies which used them (petroleum companies mainly), it was typical for that time, that these kind of waggons were leased.
and, although i live in a city which had many oil refineries up to the 80's, i can't remember for example any yellow SHELL waggon in a 'real' train..........

Errhhmmm, is this the place to tell you that I have "some" 46511 Aral waggons?

Hi Juhan,
Thanks, I could use a picture. Would you like to donate it to the topic? You could send it to me in a private email if you like.
Nev, I think that Pig is gorgeous. I am not sure if it is male or female. Actually, Colleen my wife purchased it, and I think we have been lucky ever since.
regards
Kimball

I have both pigs!

One a stock standard issue, the other ones has all the meat cuts on it. As with Thomas and Percy, my kids like them.

Definately not DRG outline, but having two daughters, ultimately they will get them and dispose of them as they wish.

How we moved from a very interesting thread on German petroleum compies to pigs and Thomas is beyond me! However there is a Thomas Tar and Sodor Fuel wagon, that must have some German ownership somewhere either in the past or in the future!

ETS sent me a newsletter recently which among other things, had some details of a new Marklin Avia tank wagon, Item no 46531. Cost is 29.99 EUR inc VAT.

Edited by moderator 11 January 2011 18:48:30(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified