REVIEW: OXFORD RAIL TANK WAGON

Howard Smith explores why Oxford Rail’s new 12T tank wagons in six liveries for OO gauge will help bolster the number of private owner wagons available to modellers.

Oxford Rail’s new 12T tank wagons in six liveries for OO gauge will help bolster the number of private owner wagons available to modellers. Released as part of this first batch is the black livery of Colfix London Ltd., the yellow and maroon of Benzol and By-Products, the turquoise of Fisons for Sulphuric acid, the green of Graham’s Golden Lager and kindly received for review from the manufacturer, the silver of BP/Shell.

The distinctive four-wheeled wagons are based on those built to the Railway Clearing House (RCH) diagram 72 of 1907. Until the introduction of RCH standards, the numerous railway manufacturers were largely free to design wagons at will, resulting in certain incompatibilities from ride heights and wheelbases. The

RCH standards sought to address critical dimensions and fittings, such as wheelbase and underframe components, buffers and couplings.

Oxford Rail’s wagons measure at a correct scale 10ft 6in wheelbase, and 18ft over headstocks. The underframe and end tank supports show bolt and rivet detail, the two linked by a very convincing representation of the steel tie-bars. Of equal finesse are the ropes and tensioners, separately fitted, to wrap around the tank.

The brake gear, though simple in application on this early design is depicted well, push rods correctly orientated.

Turning the wagon over reveals underframe members and a better view of the continuous drawbar. A representation of the bottom discharge valve can be found centrally. Not all wagons were identical, the diagram varying between the needs of the user and its contents. Transported liquids varied from petroleum products to beverages products and acids, for instance.

It is very likely that the steel tank being used to transport Sulphuric Acid for Fisons would have been lined with an acid-proof material – glass, perhaps? Comparing the wagons to prototype photographs will reveal differences, not solely dating from their manufacture, but also as modifications were carried out throughout their lives. To the average enthusiast, it won’t matter, but modellers seeking greater authenticity – should they find suitable photographic reference material – might consider adding extra detail, such as discharge pipes from the bottom drain of the tank.

Throughout, injection-moulded detail is crisp, the many detailed separately-fitted parts contributing to its overall appearance. The liveries applied are one of the greatest strengths of this new range. Clean and sharp, the lines are very appealing and, perhaps with the exception of the black of the Colfix livery, all are sure to add a dash of instant colour to a rake of wagons on your layout. Complementing existing larger 14T tank wagons available from other manufacturers, and useful across all regions for modellers, I expect we’ll see further liveries applied, further extending options. Recommended.

datafile BASICS

Manufacturer: Oxford Rail

Catalogue Ref: (OR76TK2003) Colfix London Ltd black (OR76TK2004) Benzol and By-Products yellow and maroon

(OR76TK2005) Fisons Sulphuric Acid turquoise

(OR76TK2006) Graham's Golden Lager green

(OR76TK2007) BP (British Petroleum)/ Shell silver

RRP: £21.95 (each)

Gauge/scale: 16.5mm gauge / 1:76 scale / OO

Construction: Injection-moulded plastic body and chassis

Weight: 25g

Wheel Profile: RP25

Accessories: Three-link couplings