Save or Scrap? - 14T Esso Tank Wagon!

[@martinhall60]

What a great video , am so pleased you have managed to save this tank wagon. I think it's very important to save our fright wagons for prosperity ,they are as much a part of our railway heritage as are locomotives. I wish you all the best in the restoration of this historical tank wagon. I look forward to seeing how the restoration comes along. My very best wishes. 👍🚂🚃

[@WardleRestorations]

Hi Martin, thank you so much for the kind words. Sometimes when editing these videos I do listen to myself yapping on and on and think who on earth will want to watch this so appreciate the kind comment! Means a lot 👍👍

[@hamshackleton]

save our fright wagons - - 🙂

[@MrVinnyh]

Hi Ollie, Your Esso tank was built by G.R. Turner, Langley Mills, Derbyshire in as you said 1939, to a Shell Mex / BP 14ton design for the Air Ministry AM268 was the orginal number, as a class A aviation sprit tank. diagram RCH1927. to Esso as class B tank as ESSO1855. LMS reg No.165396 well done on another unplanned purchase! There was another tank wagon which came the CVR from Fords Dagenham, of the same design whicch was later sold off.

[@WardleRestorations]

Thank you for all this extra info! Really appreciate it, super useful for research!

[@rogernewstead]

I suspect that this was one of 16 rail tank cars stored in a siding at Esso's Modewheel terminal in Manchester in the mid 1970s. They were banned from the national rail network because they were loose coupled and had no vacuum brakes and were no longer permitted. They were used as temporary storage while the terminal was rebuilt.I worked for Esso at the time and saw them on a visit to the terminal. Subsequently, when the building work was complete and they were no longer needed I bought them for one pound each in an inter- departmental transfer and they were refurbished by Wagon Repairs Limited and offered to preservation societies who needed means of combating lineside fires.They were also a visible advert for Esso .I know one is at the Bluebell Railway though it is in a poor condition.Others went to North Norfolk; Keighley and Worth Valley; and Carnforth; before I left the company. Any left were due to be scrapped. The wagon you have is black indicating that it was a fuel oil or bitumen wagon and may have steam heating pipes within the tank to enable the contents to be pumped out. At Modewheel it would have held a lighter oil or various chemical additives used in the manufacture of lubricating oils and greases..

[@royalscot4116]

As a child in the 40s/50s, I had a small Hornby Dublo, Double O Gauge electric train set. Included in the set was a very attractive 14T tank wagon. Gloss silver painted main body, with a large red, white and blue classic "Esso" logo on each side, black chassis and wheels. It was a beautiful model! I never saw one like it in real life but I lived in hope.

[@spectrumanalyzer3093]

I have only just found the vid of the tank wagon restoration. These tankers are so iconic of British Railways and it will be great to see one getting the Wardle Restorations treatment along with the brake van and box van. Hats off to you for putting in so much effort to preserving these important wagons!! I am very much looking forward to seeing more updates.

[@WardleRestorations]

What a lovely comment! Appreciate the kind words and glad you’re enjoying the videos 🙂

[@paulbache3940]

great work Ollie, so good to see stuff not being scrapped

[@WardleRestorations]

Agreed mate, glad you enjoyed

[@jamfjord]

Well done, Ollie, huge respect for saving this wagon. A heartwarming contrast to a video I watched showing a BP tank being cut up at Bo'ness and Kinneil (I get why but still a shame). It's a trek for me but visiting CVR is high on my list, you and the rest of the volunteers seem to be doing an excellent job there.

[@ThePhosphater]

Good luck with your latest project, and thank you for saving another wagon.

[@WardleRestorations]

Thank you for watching!

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

It can be silver and red, black, green and yellow. But please be very careful, Ollie. You're dealing with a petrol tanker. Don't work on it in hot weather, because if a fire spreads and engulfs the tanker, it will explode. I don't want to lose my good friend here. On top of that, Christmas is on the horizon and I really miss Wardle Wednesdays, where we all get a spin of your wheel.

[@WardleRestorations]

Never know, the LIVE Christmas Quiz may be just around the corner? 👀 the wheel might make an appearance too!

[@MrVinnyh]

prob carried oil looking at what came out, if it carried petrol it would have gone off or evaporated by the time Ollie purchased it!

[@johnarkell4493]

If built in 1939 as a Class A tank it may originally been buff with a red stripe at the half-way height of the tank. Early in the war the RAF said this livery was too visible from the air and all Class A tanks were painted grey and put in a Pool. After the war Class A tanks were painted aluminium silver with a red solebar. Class A tanks had no bottom discharge valve to avoid the possibility of accidental volatile discharges. They had to be pumped out through the manhole on the top. This tank has been converted to Class B for less volatile fuels (diesel or heating oil) which was allowed bottom discharge. I also noted the welded rectangular patch and valve on the end which probably means the tank was fitted with steam heating apparatus to aid discharge in cold weather. You should also avoid washing out the tank without taking precautions to prevent polluting ground water.

[@derf9465]

That dark oilly gunk is probably why the tank hasn't rotted out. It's preserved.

[@WardleRestorations]

Probably!!

[@JenniferEKirk]

A great project. I’m amazed how late these tankers were still running on the mainline.

[@WardleRestorations]

me too! Glad you like it, you must come down to the railway in the summer next year!

[@JenniferEKirk]

@@WardleRestorations would love to!

[@cedarcam]

Pleased to see this will be saved As a kid I remember 3 x of tank wagons something like this being cut up at a factory They had cut one in half when we got there attracted by a huge amount of black smoke that turned out to be from a storage tank being cut up that had caught fire. The fire had spread and fire brigade had to be called. As another has commented better to be careful with that toxic stuff you found dripping out don't want an explosion or injury. I think they use steam to clean out chemical tanks so perhaps a good idea to look into what will be the best way to do it safely

[@ianmckeand2265]

If I remember correctly the black Esso tank wagons were used for bitumen and similar heavy oil products which might explain the substance you are finding. It won’t be easy to clean out but on the other hand it might help prevent internal corrosion.

[@WardleRestorations]

I guess all will be revealed when I look inside!

[@SDE1994]

The white star isnt related to Esso, its a traffic rating introduced in 1923 specific to wagons carrying highly flammable liquids which denotes that it is allowed to travel in fast trains after doing at least 100 miles 8n slow trains without any problems

[@WardleRestorations]

But still makes up part of the livery I plan to put the wagon back into, probably why i referred to it as that. Hope you enjoyed :)

[@colinrobinson3034]

I much enjoyed this video Ollie. Well done for saving this tank wagon. I’m sure it will fantastic and as good as new in due time.

[@WardleRestorations]

Appreciate it thank you!

[@AdrianBartlett-q3k]

I think it’s great that you are doing so much to preserve our railway heritage. Best of luck with the restoration. Excellent video.

[@WardleRestorations]

Appreciate the kind words mate, it’s not easy being a mostly 1 man army but I do what I can with the time that I have down at the railway!

[@russellnixon9981]

Well done you for saving it.

[@WardleRestorations]

Thank you mate

[@roberthocking9138]

Can’t wait to see some resto on that tank wagon, it should look great once completed. How about an update on the wagon and the guard van sometime

[@WardleRestorations]

I'm trying to get more videos out about all the projects but as i mentioned in another comment, im a 1 man army so sadly these things don't progress quickly! Hope you enjoyed :)

[@MichaelCampin]

I think the tank wagon was probably under coated in a yellow primer then covered with red lead before being painted in Esso Black. You could try accessing the Airfix/ Hornby database.

[@BritishRail60062]

I am glad to see that this freight car is going to restored. I would buy a Class 60 and do the same but sadly I don't have the space for one yet but when I do. I plan to have mine on display at the Illinois Railroad Museum.

[@traindrivingrailenthusiast]

Well, Ollie, be careful, wagons are addictive and you don’t want to spread yourself too thin. At least the tank has minimal wood, so a good needle gunning and paint, and it could be a quick turn around, so you feel you achieve something, you don’t want too many started projects to make you feel snowed under. Good luck, and keep it up

[@WardleRestorations]

Completely agree, that’s why I mentioned a couple of times it was more about keeping the wagon safe from scrap and ensuring its future is secured! It will very much be a back burner project for the summer once we have some warmer weather!

[@mattsmocs3281]

Beautiful car. It would be neat to see it as war on one side and esso on the other that way depending on how it’s photographed its like 2 different cars!

[@WardleRestorations]

Unfortunately it can only be seen from one side of our running line, not a bad idea though! Hope you enjoyed :)

[@robertgift]

Thank you. Please show the photos longer so that we can observe more. Had to go back and pause to look.

[@WardleRestorations]

My apologies, I’ll remember this for next time

[@steadynumber1]

Petroleum Rail Tank Wagons of Britain is a good general history of the development on the subject. The author is Richard Tourett

[@WardleRestorations]

I'll have to take a look cheers!

[@channelpacket]

The magazine Modellers Backtrack has an extensive 2 part article on these wagons with drawings and colour pictures of post war liveries. Published in the 1993 issues April/May an June/July

[@WardleRestorations]

I'll have to take a look cheers!

[@SimonTog]

Very interesseting video Ollie, thumbs up :) Looking forward to following your channel. Greetings from Denmark :)

[@WardleRestorations]

Awesome, thank you!

[@newlynnrailway]

Good power jet wash will get that loose paint off if it possible to set one up, I used to do lorry chassis that way before paint shop work

[@WardleRestorations]

Funnily enough I found a bosch jet washer at the railway today so i'll put it to good use!

[@steve1315]

Will be good to see finished.

[@WardleRestorations]

indeed mate

[@MervynPartin]

Should look very good when restored, but please do not assume that just because it is old and "empty" that there is little risk from residual contents, unless it has already been certified clear. Hydrocarbons can still be an asphyxiation or explosive risk- any doubt, get a professional test before any work in or on the tank. Rusting within the tank can deplete oxygen, too. A nice project and should be a worthy addition to your fleet.

[@andycap6786]

Glad you've saved it from the cutters torch. Should look great when finished, and seems to be in pretty good shape, as you say. Flushing out the tank might create some 'environmental' issues, be careful how you go about it otherwise you might have some council/H&S officials on your case!

[@WardleRestorations]

Certainly, I will probably have the liquid tested or similar to make sure its no toxic!

[@harrisongrant8558]

You've got some great stock there. I saw a 307(?) and some HST power cars in the drone shot, I'm excited to see if those will get a chance in the spotlight. Still, even small stuff like the tank wagon is valuable for restoration because there are far less goods wagons preserved than passenger stock.

[@bentullett6068]

This will look great when restored. The guys at the Severn Valley Railway recently did a 35T B aviation fuel tanker wagon and restored it in its Regent oils livery (was Texaco previously). Wagons tend to be one of those items on a preserved railway that don't take a long time to restore. Carriages however tend to take a bit longer unless you have a good number of volunteers working on the project.

[@WardleRestorations]

Yeh at the CVR we are short of volunteers so wagons don't get a look in, I'm trying my best with the limited time and resources I have!

[@bentullett6068]

@@WardleRestorations your doing a great job

[@WardleRestorations]

Appreciate it thank you mate!

[@GWRailFan]

another Great Purchase, wont be long till you see your fleet as a Hornby train set XD, nice little fleet you have Building up im so glad i found your channel at the beginning of the brake van these restoration builds are getting good

[@WardleRestorations]

Haha thank you for the kind words! Really glad you enjoy watching, means a lot!

[@tonyveness7037]

Keep up the good work buddy. Hear from Australia can not wait to see the Brake van finished.

[@WardleRestorations]

You and me both!

[@kineticrail]

Another one for the collection. Hope the Rushton will manage the full rack once they are all done. If you have that website for the wagon pictures would be handy for the group I a part of for a future project

[@WardleRestorations]

Ruston should have no issue pulling all the wagons if I ever get round to finishing them all! One step at a time i guess!

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

Awesome video, Ollie! It's grand work you are doing! I do have a question. With the foul smelling fluid which came out... is there a possibility this tanker carried something toxic? I mean, it is an Esso which would be crude oil or other chemicals related to petroleum. Some of those can be real foul (I had a job where I cleaned Petroleum tankers in HAZMAT suits... nasty job) I wonder if there is a concern for the liquid in a Biohazard/legal format?

[@WardleRestorations]

From my knowledge it carried jet fuel, after that, petroleum! As far as im aware it been cleaned out so not entirely sure what the smell could be!

[@johnpowell5433]

Soak some of the foul-smelling goop into a rag and set light to it. You'll soon know whether it's a flammable substance. I somehow doubt anything volatile will remain in there and I'd be reluctant to introduce water to the inside without inspecting it first. Think about what you'll do with it (water tanker for loco replenishment or lineside fires or empty for mixed goods work, etc.) before taking any steps. Does it have the 16" filler port? A small adult should be able to fit through. The inside may be nice and dry with a bit of sludge in the bottom. Scrape it out and treat the inside - oil paint, waxoyl, bituminous paint - so internal corrosion isn't a future problem. @mattsmocs3281 made the suggestion about painting each side in a different livery. That I like! You can always restore it to an authentic Esso livery but how about a silver base with Esso on one side and one end and National Benzole on the other side and end. One base colour with two letterings. Anyway, well done for saving the old girl.

[@michaelcrane3327]

Great video, and well worth saving for sure. Out of interest, what were the other items that were also in the collection along side this tank wagon?

[@WardleRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed! You can see all my other stock on my channel but in brief I have : 14T tank wagon 10T GER box van 22T LMS tube wagon 20T BR brake van 88DS Ruston!

[@carlgauntletttrains3026]

Hi Ollie, enjoyed the video & like the new name. All the best Carl.

[@WardleRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed mate, thank you for watching!

[@mels1811]

Awesome video

[@KL-yt8hz]

I hope the restoration video will be soon

[@WardleRestorations]

Rome wasn’t built in a day! lol

[@SomersetTrainspotter]

Built in 1939 by G.R. Turner, type is 4w Class B Tank

[@WardleRestorations]

Thank you for the info!

[@thisisbob1001]

Great job

[@WardleRestorations]

thank you!

[@IronHorseRailways]

Paint Archeology is brilliant mate 😃 looking forward to seeing this thing restored ❤

[@WardleRestorations]

Absolutely, amazing what’s underneath the top coat of some many bits of rolling stock! You’ll need a mint condition one on your heritage layout soon!🤣

[@IronHorseRailways]

@@WardleRestorations would be happy to model it in either condition mate 😄 but I'll need a Lot of time to get one to look this.... Crusty 😁😁

[@WardleRestorations]

*Well cooked 🤣🤣

[@Thebigfour1923]

Very nice. Did you find the Bachman model

[@WardleRestorations]

Not one on its own sadly! Will probably have to bite the bullet and buy the set 😂

[@Thebigfour1923]

I just asked because I spoke to you on Twitter about it

[@owenslanejunction7544]

Great video

[@WardleRestorations]

Cheers Owen!

[@hamshackleton]

You're a glutton for punishment, Ollie! - Merry Christmas!

[@WardleRestorations]

Haha indeed, merry Christmas! 🎄

[@stevenV57]

Nice save, if it was here in Texas we would make a BBQ grill out of it. LOL

[@WardleRestorations]

I mean we don't ever have the weather for a BBQ here lol!

[@LennyCresser-ql2rj]

When are you doing a 5 inch gauge video

[@WardleRestorations]

No idea

[@woohoofromtexasharris4814]

Most definitely save. 😁❤️🇺🇸

[@WardleRestorations]

Agreed!

[@sheep21]

best of luck, seems like the hardest job will be replacing the woodwork which looks thoroughly rotten

[@WardleRestorations]

Yeh, mainly the 2 horizontal bits each end, the rest of it doesn't seem too bad!

[@microbusss]

Esso was part of Standard Oil S.O. = Esso Get it?

[@WardleRestorations]

I didn't know that but now I do!

[@peterforden5917]

I don't think they are esso stars but speed restriction symbols instead!

[@WardleRestorations]

I know that haha I meant they make up part of the 'Esso Livery'! I'll try make it clearer in the next video

[@scopex2749]

I had a model of one of these! They are important historical wagons SAVE IT! They were RED tannks with black frames and gold lettering. Many steam railways use these as water tankers along the line.

[@WardleRestorations]

Yeh, not sure if it will have a functional purpose or not but glad its staying at the railway!

[@TheBelf]

*"james and the tar tankers"* i mean seriously it looks like the classic tar tankers from ttte

[@WardleRestorations]

haha true they do

[@Lexingtons2024]

What's the point of wearing a hi viz on the inside of your coat

[@WardleRestorations]

What’s the point in you commenting😂 if I need to go on or near the mainline I’ll take my coat off but thanks for your concern

[@MGu35028]

Save

[@WardleRestorations]

Agreed!

[@p1366]

Please be careful with the tank full of combustible fumes and air..especially welding and grinding near the outlets..

[@WardleRestorations]

Yes of course. There isn’t any fuel in it currently

[@jonathanpan6110]

Salvage or scrap, but it's 1:1 scale

[@WardleRestorations]

nothing wrong with 1:1 scale lol

[@neilevans6331]

Save tank

[@WardleRestorations]

i did ahah

[@lablackzed]

It looks like it held heavy fuel oil looks like marine oil fuel .Becarefull make sure shes gas free and vented .

[@WardleRestorations]

Will do, thank you for watching!

[@bigturboxr3i]

I reckon you should get a lanoguard set and give the tanker a coat, straight on with it as it is. It will keep the h2o away from the bare surface. Great video. Reminds me of the tank now in Livingston they had found during demolition somewhere in England at end of a siding used for waste oil. Upon inspection it turns out it was originally a Bathgate wagon from the original chemical and oil works which a Mr Paraffin Young or James Simpson once owned. I always confuse them both. Now on display at Almond valley heritage. Originally painted in red, it was a high quality oil or fuel it had been used for.

[@raymondleggs5508]

little train set tank car.

[@austin12ascot]

Why does it have to be an ESSO tanker? Look at the other really interesting and colourful liveries that were produced. Choose one of them. That Esso livery is so boring. Don't be a slave to originality. Choose a livery that hasn't been preserved anywhere else. People will be really pleased to see it.

[@WardleRestorations]

I quite like putting my wagons back into liveries they once carried but theres always the opportunity to find a better livery if its fitting enough!

[@ramblingrob4693]

So 12 min of just talking, clap clap

[@WardleRestorations]

Wtf you on about

[@davidwaters6190]

annoying music no need for it thumbs down went some place else.

[@WardleRestorations]

There’s only about 1 min worth of music in this, glad you went somewhere else, not wanted here 😂

[@davidwaters6190]

still shite

[@WardleRestorations]

state of you lol

[@Yorkie-lad]

Save

[@WardleRestorations]

Agreed!