Dapol O Gauge 7F-059-002 Esso 14-Ton Class B Oil Tank Wagon Black 1869
Air Ministry design class B fuel oil tank wagon in service with Esso, black painted tank.
The latest new wagon model from Lionheart Trains, these oil tank wagons were built to orders from the air ministry during WW2, increasing the British tank wagon fleet during a time of high demand for aviation fuel. The wagons were sold on to the oil companies after the end of hostilities.
Most were built as Class A wagons for highly flamible products like petrol and aviation fuel, using the standard RCH 17'6" long 10' wheelbase chassis equiped with either side brakes and oil axleboxes. The 4275 gallon cylindrical tank was saddle mounted on transverse timber baulks and usually platforms were provided either side of a central filler hatch.
Tankers for less flamible class B products (eg tar) were usually fitted with heating tubes to raise the temperature of heavy oil products and pursuade it to flow more easily and bottom discharge valves, were not permitted for class A products.