40 ton gross “O - X/E” class Tank Wagon,

Prototype Information.

With the motor car increasing in popularity in the mid 1950’s, there was a need to increase the amount of fuel being transported to country towns throughout the state. Many country fuel depots were on Branch lines with light rail rated with a 10-ton axles load.  

The 5,000 gallon tank wagons introduce to the rail network in the late 1920’s has a gross weight of 32 tons with an axle load of 8 tons.  6,000 gallons could be carried in wagons with a 10 ton axle load. These wagons with extra carrying capacity were given an “X” in their classification to identity them for other wagons, i.e. OCX for a Commonwealth Oil Refineries (C.O.R.) which later became BP Aust  (British Petroleum). OCX 65 was the first wagon of the class to enter service in 1956. The ”X” classification was used on other wagons that had a 10 ton axle load i.e. WHX, VTX. 

In 1964 the Railways of Australian (RoA) introduced the national wagon coding system, “X” in this code was to identify wagons suitable for bogie exchange. QR took on the national code and reclassed some newer wagons (QLX, QGX, QFX etc.) and wagons with the “X” class were changed to “E”, i.e. OCX became OCE, WHX to WHE etc.    
 
Like the other tank wagons on the QR network, most of these wagons had both one or two compartments. The wagons were manufactured by a number of companies and each had their differences along with requirements from the oil companies themselves.
 
Steel tank wagons as we know them were on the QR network for just over 90 years. Commencing in 1926 and finishing up around 2020. As one would expect, there were a number of changes along the way, for the era modeller there are a number of time lines to consider.  
 
1964/67. Classification change “X” to “E”.

1969.  Wagon fitted with cast iron ride control bogies were made available to be used on Express Freight Trains upgrade from 35 MPH to 50 MPH. Red Circle added. In some cases, modification was required to the bogie and this took a few years.

1971. onwards.  Lifting and jacking brackets added to wagon.

1972. Metric measure. Tons to tonnes, Gallons to Litres, Pressure testing from psi to Kpa.  This changed the marking on the wagons.

Early 1970’s. Company signage started disappearing from wagons. 

 
1984/5. QR introduced the Rollingstock Information Control System (RICS), a computer system to managing rollingstock. All wagons number required five (5) digits. Previously, tank wagon was numbered in company groups.

 1985. Introduction of the Australian Dangerous Code.  Emergency Information panels were required to be on wagons.  

 1992 onwards. Upgrading of the tank wagon fleet, many older wagons were placed on surplus QR wagon underframes (QLX, HO, WHE, HJS) making the whole fleet all available for Express Freight Trains. Other changes included modification to the brake equipment and removal of buffers.    
 
Early wagons were fitted with a screw type hand brake, by 1960 chain hand brake replace them. Most wagons had headstock issues that required them to strengthened and splasher were added and removed from time to time. 
 
Some of these changes didn’t happen overnight and took a number of years to filter across all wagons. Other changes found on wagons included hand brake wheels being painted white, at first, they were black. Early wagon entering service were fitted with 15-inch hand brake wheels, later they were upgraded to 17-inch wheels, in short, the screw hand mechanism was not the best hand brake invented. I think they may have caused more derailments/runaways than they saved. Many wagons had company branding and colours for their wagon fleet, company ownership also changed.
 
B.P.
OCX 65 – 72 (44036 – 44042) Tulloch.  12/1956/57 reclassified OCE (1964/67)
(65 – 70, 76 - 78) Two compartment welded bottom discharged 6,000 gallon tank.
(71 – 75) One compartment 6,500 gallons Welded, bottom discharge tank. Builder Com Eng.
 
OCX 73 – 78 (44043 -44046) Evans Deakin 2/1957 reclassified OCE 1964/67
71 & 75 were transferred to South Australia 1958/59
77 sold to H.C. Sleigh (Golden Fleece) 7/1958 reclassed OPX 16.

 

OCX 65 (44036)
Dec 1956	In Service. Owner C.O.R. Builder - Tulloch NSW.  QR 8 Bogies. Capacity -  Compt 1 – 31049, Compt 2 – 3098 Gals.
May 57	Derailed Whinstanes. (Shops 17 May – 4 Jun) Derailed on 6 occasions
Aug 57	Bogies rectified by Bradford Kendall.
Dec 59	Side bearers repositioned. Maryborough.
Apr 65	Reclassed OCE
Jan 69	Red Circle M’boro.
Apr 73	Lifting lugs & Safety bars fitted Ipswich
Feb 80	Derailed & bufferlocked with OC 5 Yelarbon SWD.
Jun 80	Lifting lugs modified -Ipswich
Jan 85	Renumbered
Jun 90	Converted to single compartment tank
Jul 92	Reclassed OCET (ND)
Aug 93	Reclassed OCEM (SW)

 

OCX 66 (44037)
Dec 56	In Service. Owner C.O.R. Builder - Tulloch NSW.  QR 9 Bogies. Capacity - Compt. 1 – 3098, Compt. 2 – 3100 Gals.
Jun 57	Bogie centre ground and side clearance & Axle boxes checked by Bradford Kendall.
Dec 58	13/11 – 18/12 Ipswich Workshops. Headstock straightened and reinforced, Self-contained buffers fitted.
Feb 61	Relocation of side bearers to 3” 1” centres. Townsville.
Mar 69	Red Circle
Jan 70	Fitted with lifting & Jacking brackets Townsville.
Jun 83	Derailed Nashville (Gympie)
Apr 85	Renumbered Toowoomba.
Mar 93	Modified and reclassed OCET on QLX Underfame 32523

OCET 44039 (OCE 68) Maryborough 1992

OCEM 44040 (OCE 70) on QLX Underframe. 

                                                          OCE 44041 (70).

OCX 72 (44042)	71 to South Australian Api 59. Thus not renumbered in 84/5..
Jan 1957	In Service. Owner C.O.R. Builder – Tulloch NSW.  QR 9 Bogies.

OCX 73 (44043)
Feb 1957	In Service, Owner C.O.R. Builder Evans Deakin & Co Brisbane QR 8
Oct 57	Re-tared at 16 T 7Cwt Toowoomba.
Apr  62	Side bearers repositioned Ipswich.
Sep 65	Reclassed OCE
Apr 69	Stencilled “Red Circle”
May 72	Modification to brake pipe brackets Toowoomba.
Feb 76	Self Container (CSSC) Buffers fitted
Dec 84	Renumbered
Oct 92	Converted to OCET. QLX 32440 underframe
Aug 95	Reclassed OCEM.

 

OCX 74 (44044)
Mar 1957	In Service, Owner C.O.R. Builder Evans Deakin & Co Brisbane QR 8
Jun 57	Bogie centres ground and side clearance & axlesboxes checked BK
Jul 60	Headstock reinforced, side bearers modified.
Oct 64	Reclassed OCE
Mar 70	Red Circle
Feb 74	Lifting & Jacking pads
May 80	17 inch hand brake wheel fitted (CD)
Oct 84	Renumbered
Feb 92	Modified QLX 32647 underframe reclassed OCET (Townsville)
Oct 93	Reclassed OCEM

OCX 76

OCEM 44045 on QLX underframe.

 

OCX 78 (44046)
Aug 1957	In Service, Owner C.O.R. Builder Evans Deakin & Co Brisbane QR 8
	Evans Deakin to BK for bogie ratification.
Apr 61	Head stock straightened & reinforced, bogie overhaul, dust shields fitted, side bearers repositioned.
Jun 65	Reclassed OCE
Mar 69	Red Circle
Jun 72	Brake pipe modification Toowoomba
Sep 74	Derailed Bajool – Archer Park section.
Jan 78	Safety bars replaced.(CD)
Mar 80	17inch hand brake wheel fitted.
Jan 85	Renumbered (CD)
Jun 92	Converted to OCET (ND)
Aug 93	Reclassed OCEM (SW)

 

OCE 44046 Note the domes on the Evans Deakin built wagons are higher than the Tulloch wagons.

OCEM 44058 (91) from South Australia in 1983.

OCE 87 – 98 Ex Sth Australia 1983 (44055 -44066)

OCE 87 was originally OC 50 sold to SA in 1959

OCE 88 was originally OC 51 sold to SA in 1959

OCE 89 was originally OC 55 sold to SA in 1959

OCE 90 was originally OCX sold to SA in 1959

OCE 87 – 98.  (44055 – 44066) Mixture of wagon from South Australia 1983. Most were classified OCAT/OCAM in 1992/3. 

OCET 97 (44065)  x South Australia

OCE 44069 Ex Western Australia 1991
OCE 44070 Ex Western Australia 1991

OCEM 44070 from Western Australia on WHE underframe.

Underframe and body detail on OCE 44058 (OCE 90) OCE 90 was originally OCX sold to SA in 1959
Ex Interstate XBP 139. In service 5 May 1983. Vickers Aust Ltd, Scotts of Ipswich.
Mar 85 Renumbered
Aug 86 Dangerous Good panel
Oct 93 Reclassed OCEM

Screw hand brake has been replaced with a chain hand brake. 

Pinkenba was dead flat, it was one place where you could get away without applying hand brakes.

Marking on the wagon in 2004

Amoco

OHX 1 – 10 (44136 – 44145) Scotts 1962/64 reclassed OHE 1965
OHE 13 Scotts 11/1965.   Written Off 12/1983
OHE 14 – 29 (44148 - 44162) Scotts 11/1965 - 12/1967
One Compartment (6 – 10), (13 – 17), (25, 26)
Two Compartments (1 – 5), (18 – 24), (7 – 29). 
QR 11 Bogies 1 – 26, QR 22 Bogies. 27- 29 
 
Amoco had the QR contract to supply diesel fuel for many years.

 

OHX 1 (44136)
Nov 1962	In service. Built by Scotts of Ipswich   QR 11 Bogies SKF R/B
Mar 69	Red Circle
Apr 72	Lifting & Jacking brackets (M’boro)
Nov 72	Tank & Safety values tested, drawgear repaired
Sep 84	Renumbered 44136
Feb 93	Tank placed on QLX 32373 underframe reclassed OHET

Unloading diesel fuel Charleville. (Auto Couplers) 

OHE 44136 (1985)

OHE 44137 (OHE 2) on QLX underframe. 

OHX 3 (44138)
Feb 1963	In service. Built by Scotts of Ipswich   QR 11 Bogies SKF R/B
Apr 69	Red Circle
Apr 77	Bogie dislodge Toowoomba Yard.
Jun 79	15 inch handbrake wheel replaced by 17 inch
Mar 83	Damaged headstock Normanby
May 85	Renumbered 44138
Jun 86	Dangerous Goods signs
Jan 93	Tank fitted to QLX 32556 underframe, reclassed OHET
Feb 96	Reclassed OHEM

OHE 44143 (OHE 8) 1985

OHE 44150 (OHE 16) 1991 

OHE 19 (44153)
Nov 65	In service. Built by Scotts of Ipswich   QR 11 Bogies SKF R/B
Mar 69	Red Circle
Sep 70	Tank & Safety values tested, Lifting lugs & Safety bars fitted.
Aug 84	Renumbered 44153
May 86	Dangerous Goods signs
	Derailed Charleville Yard
Oct 92	Tank fitted to QLX 32667 underframe reclassed OHET
Jul 96	Reclassed OHEM

OHEM 20 (44154), OHEM 22 (44155) Jun 94 Derailed Maryborough and written off

OHE 21. In service Dec 1965. Dec 81 Derailed & Burnt at Hannams Gap. Written off. (no 5 digit number)     

OHE 27 (44160)
Dec 1967	In service. Built by Scotts of Ipswich   QR 22 Bogies . Auto Couplings
Apr 69	Red Circle
Nov 69	Values tested and brake repairs.
Oct 84	Renumbered 44160
May 86	Dangerous Goods signs
Sep 93	Converted to OHEM

 

OHE 29 (44162)
Dec 1967	In service. Built by Scotts of Ipswich   QR 22 Bogies . Auto Couplings
Mar 69	Red Circle
Nov 69	Safety values tested & Brake repairs
Dec 71	Tank & safety values tested, Bogie and Underframe inspection
Sep 77	Reclassed OHE/T
Jul 78	Lifting lugs modified.
Apr 85	Renumbered 44162
Jun 94	Converted to OHEM

Road Surface Pty Ltd.

OKE Bitumen Tank Wagons 1 – 4. In service 1974 QR 28 bogies. One (1) Compartment Insulated Tank. Builder - Scotts of Ipswich 

 Shell

OBE 127 – 131. (43901 – 43905) In Service 1966. QR 13 Bogies. One (1) Compartment Insulated Bitumen Tank steam coils. Welded Tank with top discharge.  Builder Tulloch.

OBE 131

OBET 43941/42. Ex Victoria 1990 reclassed OBOM Apr 94. 

During the tank wagon fleet modification program in the early 1990s, some 5,000-gallon tanks were lengthened to increase their capacity.

OBEM 43862 (OB 83) OBEM Sep 93

OBEM 43869 (OB 86) OBET Jan 93.

OBEM 43909 (OBA 135) OBEM Sep 93 ex Western Australian 

Compressed Yeast Co.

OGX (OGE) 1. Molasses Tank. Inservice 1962 One compartment Capacity 3, 900 gallons (17,730 Lts) . QR 11 bogies. Builder – Scotts.

 

Queensland Oil Refineries (QAR Road Service).

OQX (OQE) 4 – 6, 9, 10. In Service 1960/1. One compartment, welded, bottom discharge insulated bitumen tank. Builder 4 – 6 Com Eng, 5,500 gallons QR 8 bogies,  9 & 10 Scotts, 5,600 gallons.  

Q.A.R Road Services Pty Ltd.

OQE 11 – 14. In service 1974. One compartment Insulated bitumen Tank. Capacity 23,700 Ltrs.  Builder Scotts. QR 28 bogies

OQE 44282 

OQE 44294 (OQE 13) 

Vacuum (Mobil 2/4/62).
OVX (OVE) 62 – 70. (44518 – 44526) In service 1957. One compartment 6,400 approx. gallons Welded, bottom discharge tank. Bogies QR 8.   

OVE 62

OVEM 44519 (OVE 63)

OVEM 44521  (OVE 65)

 
Caltex.
OTX (OTE) 51 – 54 (44393 – 44396) In service 1961/2.  One compartment 6,500 gallons Welded, bottom discharge tank. Builder Com Eng.
OTE 55 – 56 (44397, 44398) In service 1964. Two compartment 6,250 gallons bottom discharge tank. Builder Eng Elect.
OTE 57 – 62 (44399 – 44404) Inservice 1965.  One compartment 6,500 gallons Welded, bottom discharge tank. Builder Com Eng.

OTEM 44378  (OT 31)

OTET 44393(OTE 51)  Tank on QLX underframe.

Copper Refineries Pty. Ltd.

ODX (ODE) 1. In service 1958, One compartment welded top discharge 3,000 gallons Acid Tank Car. Builder Evan Deakin Bogies QR 9. 

 

Phillips 66

OEE 4 In Service 1965. Three Compartment welded bottom discharge 5,600 gallon tank Builder Scotts.

Company became part of Golden Fleece in 1967 and wagon reclassed OPE 27.

 

Queensland Railway.

WX (WE) 29397 – 29399.  In service Nov 52, 40 ft underframe with bar frame bogies (MTW?).

Fitted with 5,000 gallon tank for water. Wagons stencilled with red diamond for use on passenger trains. 

Oct 55 reclassed OWX to carry petrol, stencilled “Highly Inflammable”, leased to Ampol to carry motor spirit from Caltex at Whinstanes to Dalby. Red Diamond deleted.

1956 carried departmental diesel fuel Rockhampton to Gladstone.
Aug 1963 reclass PWX platform wagon.  Tank removed.
Mar 65 tank refitted and reclassed WE
Sep 72 leased to Queensland Oil Refineries. (bitumen ??)
1973 QR 17a bogies fitted
May 91 written off.   

Ampol

OLX 5 -12 (44220 – 44227) Tulloch 1957.  All were two compartments welded, bottom discharge 6,000 gallon tanks except OLX (OLE) 8 being a single compartment 5,000 gallons capacity fitted with steam heating coils for black products.
OLX 13 – 23 (44228 - 44238) Com Eng 1959
OLE 1965/66.
OLE 24 – 25 (44239 – 44240) Com Eng 1967.  QR 13 Bogies. One Compartment. 

OLX 5. (Photo AMRA QLD Library Collection)

 

OLX 5 (44220)	Ampol Petroleum Qld Pty Ltd.
Jan 1957	In Service. Builder Tulloch NSW. QR 8 Bogies.
Mar 57	Derailed Ballard
Apr 57	Headstock straightened (Ipswich)
May 57	Derailed Ballard and Toowoomba. Bogie side frames modified to give more clearance for wheels. Bogie centre ground.
Jun 57	Derailed Dutton Park. Sent to BK for bogie centre modifications
Nov 57	Headstocks straightened Northgate.
Sep 58	Headstock straightened and reinforced, buffers replaced
Oct 59	Repairs to defective brakes Ipswich
Nov 61	Side bearers repositioned
Nov 71	Lifting lugs & safety bars fitted.
Feb 74	Stencilled “Red Circle” Ipswich
Apr 75	Bogies changed QR 2
Sep 80	17 inch hand brake wheel fitted.
Nov 84	Renumbered
Jan 93	Converted to OLET tank placed on QLX underframe 32562
Feb 94	Reclassed OLEM

  

OLX 8 (44223)
Sep 1957	In Service. Builder Tulloch NSW. QR 8 Bogies.
	Tank fitted internally with steam heating coil for heavy oil – Black Products. Tank finished in blue enamel & signs painted on tank.
Aug 61	Bogies checked & side bearers repositioned Ipswich.
Apr 69	Red Circle
Dec 71	Lifting lugs & safety bars fitted
Feb 77	Ride control bogies  (A3) fitted. Axle boxes packed foam plastic.
Mar 78	Safety value fitted   in place of safety vent. Ipswich
Apr 78	Lifting and jacking brackets modified
Jul 85	Renumbered
Feb 93	Reclassed OLA

OLE 44236 (OLE 21) Com Eng 

OLX 13 (44228)
Aug 59	In Service. Builder Com-Eng Brisbane. QR 9 bogies. SKF RB.
Feb 63	Side bearers repositioned Townsville
May 65	Renumbered OLE
Aug 69	Red Circle.
Dec 84	Renumbered 44228
Aug 86	Dangerous Doods signs Ipswich
Nov 92	Converted to OLET Townsville (ND)
Oct 93	Reclassed OLEM

OLE 44230 (OLE 15) Tank on QLX underframe 1992

OLX 16 (44231)
Mar 1960	In Service. Builder Com-Eng Brisbane. QR 9 bogies. SKF RB.
Apl 69	Red Circle
Oct 69	Lifting lugs fitted.
Aug 71	Cracked underframe repaired Ipswich
May 72	Brake brackets modified.
Jul 74	Tank filled with water. Saddle timbers renewed. Bodies & frame inspected.
Jun 79	15 inch. hand brake replaced by 17 inch. wheel. Lifting lugs modified.
Jul 85	Renumbered 44231
Oct 85	Dangerous goods signs fitted.
Mar 93	Converted to OLET, tank placed to QLX 32478 underframe

  

OLE 25 (44240)
Aug 67	In Service. Builder Com-Eng Brisbane. QR 13 bogies.
	Fitted with heating coils.
Apr 69	Red Circle
Nov 72	Tank filled with water & tested, safety values tested, Brake and bogie repairs.
May 78	Transition coupling fitted and reclassed OLET
May 80	Indeng Wacol fitted 2 safety values and fill pipe.
Nov 84	Renumbered 44240
Jun 86	Dangerous Goods signs fitted
Jan 94	Converted to OLEM

OLE 44230 (OLE 25)

During their time on the rails, these wagons were painted in four (4) liveries

1). When entering service, the wagon was black with the company shield as per OLE 5 above.

2). Early 1960’s the wagons were black with a large “AMPOL” painted red with white edging.

3). Late 1960’s just before the end of steam the wagons were painted silver with large “AMPOL” painted red with black edging as per OLE 44236 above.

4). Late 1980’s the large red AMPOL was replaced with a smaller AMPOL as per OLE 44230 above.

 Mid to late 1990’s, the OL fleet of wagons was put up for sale and later was purchased by QR. The smaller wagons were stripped for spare parts and scrapped with the larger 60 T wagons (OLO) being available for leasing.

 

Golden Fleece
 

OPX 16 (44332)
Aug 57	Owner; C.O.R. Ltd. H C Sleigh.  Golden Fleece Petroleum Ltd Evans, Deakin & Co Brisbane. In service as OCX 77
Jul 58	H. C. Sleigh purchased wagon from B.P. (Aust) renumbered OPX 16. 1965 reclassed as OPE 16.
Oct 59	Headstock strengthened (ND)
Jun 61	Side Bearers repositioned (ND)
Feb 72	Lifting & Jacking brackets fitted. Mar 72 Safety bars fitted (ND)
May 78	½” Gusset replaced safety bars (ND)
Feb 85	Renumbered (CD)
Nov 85	DG panels fitted (CD)
Feb 91	On hire to Ampol
Feb 93	Placed on QLX 32624 underframe Classed OPET  (ND)
Nov 93	Classed OPEM

 

Tank Length	34’ 6”
Tank Dia. (inside)	6’ 1½”
Compartments	2
Gross	40 T
Capacity	6,000 g
Bogie Centre	25” 0”
Bogies	QR 8

OPX 17 (44333)
Apr 60	In service. Owner H C Sleigh Ltd, Golden Fleece Petroleum Com Eng Co. In service as OPX. Reclassed OPE Jan 66.
Mar 73	Lifting & Jacking pads fitted CD
Feb 75	Red Circle
May 75	Derailed Marmor area
Dec 78	Safety gussets replace safety bar CD
Nov 84	Renumbered
Jan 87	DG Panels fitted (Ips W’shops)
May 93	Written off

 

Tank Length	31’5½”
Tank Dia. (inside)	6’ 1½”
Compartments	3
Gross	40 T
Capacity	5,600 g
Bogie Centre	25” 0”
Bogies	QR 9

Records show this wagon has three (3) compartment tank with a capacity of 5,600 gallons.

 

OPE 27 (44343)
Jul 65	In service. Owner Phillips 66, as OEE 4. Scotts of Ipswich
Apl 67	Red Circle
Jul 67	Relettered OPE 27 Golden Fleece Petroleum
Nov 84	Renumbered  (CD)
Oct 86	DG Panels fitted (Ips W’shops)
1990	On Hire to Ampol
Nov 92	Mounted on QLX 32621 underframe classed OPET
Dec 93	Reclassified OPEM.

 

Tank Length	34’11”
Tank Dia. (inside)	6’ 1½”
Compartments	2
Gross	40 T
Capacity	6000 g
Bogie Centre	25” 0”
Bogies	QR 11

 Where did all these oil companies go.

This may assist if you are an era modeller
Shell dropped the Neptune brand in 1959.
Phillips 66 became part of Golden Fleece in 1967.
Golden Fleece became part of Ampol in 1981.
Total Aust became part of Ampol in 1983.
Amoco became part of BP in 1984.
Mobil shared BP facilities from 1985
Esso became part of Mobil in 1990.
Ampol merged with Caltex in 1995

 
On top of this, from time to time companies leased their wagons to other companies, which resulted in removing company brands from wagons.  With the various mergers, surplus wagons were sold off, many being purchased by QR for parts. Other were simply scrapped.

Bogies.   All bogies have 33½ inch wheels at 5 ft 6 in centres.

QR 8 Early bogies had plain bearings and spoked wheels.
Bradford Kendall.

QR 8 Modified. In the later years the bogies required repairs and many of the older bogies were fitted with roller bearing kits and new wheels.

QR 9 Bogies. Bradford Kendall – SKF roller bearings

QR 11 Bogie. Bradford Kendall – SKF roller bearings
Many of the bogies look the same, same size wheel with the same wheel spacing, a different shaped side frame, a different manufacture.

QR 22 bogie. Qld Electric Steel - Koyo Seiko Roller bearings (Commonwealth Steel) 

QR 28 bogie Qld Electric Steel - Koyo Seiko Roller bearings
QR 28 A bogies have SKF roller bearings.  

 
Bogies can identify an era of a wagon and is information required when modelling, as they add the correct appearance to the wagon.
 
Operations.
August 1924 “Golden Fleece OP Wagons” article outlines how wagons were shunted around on the Pinkenba Branch. This was similar to other oil companies in the Brisbane area. 
 
Models.
QR plans for tank wagons leave a lot to be desired, often one plan shows the entire class which could be across a number of different manufactures. Some may give tank length and internal diameter with capacities. Some may provide bogie type information. No underframe detail is included. Photos are needed to assist your build, as there are various differences with in the class and batches from the same end user.
 
When I started modelling tank wagons in the early 1970’s, if you could find something near the correct size tank you were on a winner. The shape and size of the dome didn’t matter. It looked like a tank wagon and that’s all that was required. At first, I was using US tank domes casted from white metal, some filing was required to make then fit. Then a few years later decals became available, mostly interstate wagons, often the correct colour was not available, but there were similar to QR tank wagons. Mixing and matching packs took your model to the next level. There a period where some QR tank wagon decals became available which added another step up for us.
 
With kit manufactures starting to be produce, some QR wagons in a few different classes became available to the modeller. The first 40 ton tank wagons I recall was Wuiske Models kits. Various classed were made, white metal underframe, PVC tube and a cast dome. The kits were fairly identical with one or two domes with different classes on the packaging. There was scope for the modeller to add additional detail and put his own stamp or class on the model. 

The dome on the single compartment prototype wagon is a little higher. Walkways and hand rails can identify various companies’ wagons. 

Caintode Flats QR 15/18 bogies with spoke wheels was fitted to the wagon.

 

The Branch Line Modeller started manufacturing various tank domes for NSWR tank wagons, many being very similar to some of the QR wagons. Many QR tank wagons were built in NSW. These domes captured the different domes used by the different oil companies, having the correct dome sparked a renewed interest in tank wagons. 

Checking the Stephen Johnson Modellers website some parts are still shown as available including a 21 mm dia. end plug.

 The QR wagons had a smaller diameter tank than the NSWR wagons and the issue was finding the correct size tank, PVC tube near the correct size was no longer available. At first, I used 25 mm acrylic rod and turned it down to 22 mm in the lathe, this made a quite heavy wagon. I was thinking they would be top heavy and would cause issues, I don’t mind a bit of weight in a wagon and so far the wagons made this way run well without any issues. The next experiment was 25 mm thick wall acrylic tube found on eBay, this too was turned down in the lathe to 22 mm. The ends I used Branch Line Modeller 25 mm NSWR tank ends, these need to modified and the ends of the tube opened up to take them, the tolerances are tight with cracks showing up on the inside of the tube, so far nothing has fallen apart. For marking I was able to have decals produced from Teds Decals in Toowoomba, most were done on “Word” and may not be 100% correct. 

Caintode Flats QR 2 bogies with spoke wheels was fitted to this wagon. The QR 2 bogies are very similar to the QR 8 and add a better prototype appearance. The correct style of bogie makes the wagon look right. The tank is acrylic rod turned down in the lathe.

Opps!!!! Looks like I didn’t finish that wagon before painting it. Well, back to the bench it goes to fix. I have started writing a list of things to do as I think of bits I will add to the wagon. Often, I jump ahead leaving parts off. I think the domes were left over from a kit and they have marking for hand rails.    

Of late PGC models has produced a 3D kit of the Ampol OLE 40 ton tank wagon that comes with bogies and decals. The decals cover four eras of the wagons, as built with shield signage on a black tank, early 60 era red signage for a black wagon, late 60’s 70, 80 red signage for a silver tank and the late 80/early 90’s small signage for a silver tank. All pack are marked the same and one needs to look at the decals if looking for a partial era, which I didn’t. The bogies in the kit are Southern Rail bogies which run freely.  I did change the mounting arrangements due to the large bolster pivot size and the small self-tapper supplied to firm up bogie on the wagon. The kit also contained etch walkway, ladder, hand brake detail and straps. The instructions are two pages with a couple of photos and a page of samples available. With some parts of the construction, you will need to think which way something goes or fits, I stuffed it up a couple of times. I looked at several photos trying to find the correct location of the discharge pipe on the hand brake end, on the kit it was tucked in behind the hand brake wheel, and not accessible for the unloader. Some photos it was hard to impossible to see, some suggest it was lower pipe than the other end, I moved it clear of the hand brake. Like most things, you are rewarded by the work you put into the built.   

I did change some of the decals and added extra I had left over from other kits.  Kadee #179 coupling (scale whisker couple with scale draft box) was fitted to the wagon. The wagon was painted with a black etch primer first and then followed by SMS acrylic lacquer # PMT04 Metallic super silver. After the decals were applied and sealed with “Testors” glosscote, “Testors” dullcote was applied before weathering. Weathering was applied using “Tamiya” acrylic paints, 20% paint thinned with 80% IPA. Colours used are Linoleum Dark Brown XF-79, Flat Earth XF-52 and Buff XF-57.  The plan was to mist on several light coats in a number of passes with the portable rechargeable air brush. I was looking for a heavy weather top where dirt collects. In my madness I added that much paint, none of the 15 or so decals applied to the underframe were visible. Yep, you could call it a stuff up, as a ditch to save the day I grab a cotton bud, dip it into some IPA and did a swipe along the frame, it did remove most of the excess paint making the decals visible again.   

 The other two kits I turned them into other classed using other decals.

I backed off with the weathering on this one. But I stuff this one up too, in the numbering, I used what decals I found in the box without looking at my research, the wagon went to South Australia and it’s a single dome tank???  Well, that’s the brakes???, I guess it is unique or as some would say, it’s modellers licence.

Once again, the decals came from Ted’s decals.

The third kit was made into OPE 16 “Golden Fleece” wagon. This wagon was built for BP and was part of a second contract with higher domes. The domes were raised during construction to make it look right. The domes fit into a pocked, by adding 0.060” styrene to the bottom of the pocket the dome height was raised. 

Photographing your work does highlight your poor modelling. Some extra time in plugging holes with a bit bog could have produced a much better finish.

On the Layout.

The differences between a scratch build and two different kit manufactures

The take home for me out of this project is I guess I need to think about the build and not finishing the project. Instructions are instructions and you need to think about what your outcome is going to be. If you research a project, check it before you start applying decals. ??

 

Another year gone!!

It’s that time of the year again when the bloke in the red suit knocks on your door, 2025 is just about finished. I would like to wish you all a Blessed Christmas, Happy and Safe New Year. 

Trust, you found the blogs interesting during the year and it helped you in your modelling journey. We might start the new year looking at the smaller 5,000-gallon tank wagons company by company.

 See you all next year.
 
Arthur H.
 
 
Acknowledgements.
Australian Model Railway Association Queensland Library.
QR Plans.
Historians, John Armstrong, Keith McDonald,
Queensland State Archives