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R.L.W.

Pioneer Oil Refinery: California Star Oil Works kit #RLW-1680

Wash Tank) from the Warehouse fret after pre-painting with Floquil Railroad Tie Brown.
Glue the support frames together in adjacent pairs, and when the glue dries, assemble the
pairs around the collar. The use of the laser-cut base is optional but recommended as it will
protect the vertical posts from being broken off during subsequent handling. If the base is
used, paint it an earth color before gluing the posts in the square holes.
The two wash tanks were located between the Product Tanks and the Warehouse, and near
the Pump House (see “Site” section.)

RESIDIUM TANK

The Residium Tank collected residue from the refinery process. This residue was used to fire the stills.
The existing tank is open-topped and may have been thus during the period of significance. However, it
is also possible it may have had a closed top. Resin castings are
provided for both an open- and a closed-top version of this tank.
A dimple is provided in the upper side of this casting for the pipe
which connected the tank with the stills. (See “PIPING section.)
Drill this out with a number 76 drill. Paint the tank and the
timber frame base with Floquil Railroad Tie Brown, dry-brush
weather with a gray, then paint the steel bands with a contrasting
(color such as burnt umber) with a 20-00 brush. If using the
open-top version, float a drop of clear gloss on the top of the Residium Tank, 2016 (Knapp)
residue inside the tank.
Open Top Closed Top

PRODUCT TANKS

The Product Tanks collected Benzene and Kerosene from the Condenser. Currently, the tanks sit
embedded in dirt which has eroded from the hillside above. No photos have been found which show
how these tanks were supported during the period of significance, but setting steels tanks directly on
the ground was not a common or logical practice, and
evidence at the site suggests these tanks are supported on a
brick base currently buried under the dirt which has eroded
from the hillside.

Drill a hole in the top of each end on the back of the tanks
and connect with .015” brass wire “pipe” as shown in the
photo on the right. Paint the tanks and brickwork of the resin
castings as described in the section “Working With Resin
Castings”. When installed on your layout, bring the “dirt”

Bring scenery “dirt” up to up to the bottom of the first course of bricks, concealing the
bottom of brick supports. base part of the resin casting

Product Tanks, 2016 (Knapp)

© 2016 Republic Locomotive Works 1680 – pg. 15