Product Features and Details
Information about the model
In 1939/40, the Cologne-Deutz and Uerdingen wagon factories each developed a lightweight, four-axle tank wagon. In direct connection with this, Westwaggon also created the prototype of the bathtub tender, which was later used to couple the BR 42 and 52 wartime locomotives. This development was driven primarily by the military, as it required the transport of enormous quantities of crude oil and fuels for supplies. To maximize the use of available steel, lightweight construction was employed to the fullest extent, as was the case with all wartime construction methods – though, as soon became apparent, at the expense of durability. Both manufacturers then developed wagons with self-supporting tanks. While Deutz relied solely on end pieces, the Uerdingen design also incorporated longitudinal beams made of angled profiles, which were intended to help absorb longitudinal compressive forces. The main specifications of both variants were identical: the length over buffers was 12.40 m, the bogie center distance was 6.60 m, and the boiler capacity was 63 m³. Due to the compact design, this capacity led to axle and meter load problems, meaning the boiler could not be completely filled on all routes. Pressed steel bogies with a 2.00 m wheelbase were used as the running gear. The cars built up to 1945 were used by Wifo and the oil companies to supply the Wehrmacht. After 1945, various European companies reproduced the cars in a further developed form, including Tatra in Prague as early as 1946. In 1955, SEAG delivered almost 500 cars developed from the Uerdingen design to the United States Transportation Corps (USTC). Many cars were lost due to the war or remained with other European state railways. The carriages located in the catchment area of the western occupation zones were transferred to VTG, which emerged from the former Wifo in 1951. In addition, mineral oil companies used further carriages as P-cars and acted as the main lessees of the VTG carriages. The carriages remaining with the DR (East German State Railway) remained in the state railway's inventory and were only leased out on a long-term basis, primarily to the PCK refinery in Schwedt/Oder. The last of these carriages were not withdrawn from service until the 1990s and often continued to serve as railway service or station cars. They were frequently seen in this capacity even after the turn of the millennium.
Model details
- bogie with three-point bearing
- Extra spring packs
- Additional brake system
- Metal wheels
- Finely engraved bogies
- Brake shoes in wheel plane
- Extra axle brake linkage
