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Making Oil Tank Berms

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  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Making Oil Tank Berms
Posted by caldreamer on Thursday, July 19, 2018 12:29 PM

What is the best way on making oil tank berms?  I will be putting an oil refiner/petrochemical plant on my layout and need these containment berms.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, July 19, 2018 2:36 PM

I think I would cut the berm shape out of styrofoam, then scenic them for the look you want.

Mike.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Friday, July 20, 2018 10:22 AM

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Friday, July 20, 2018 10:57 AM

Consider cork roadbed (although it has the wrong 'angle of repose' even turned so the bevel is on the base) or similar material.  It can be notched or cut if needed to bend to a tighter curve, then filled in before 'grassing' or other final appearance treatment.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Southern California
  • 1,682 posts
Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Friday, July 20, 2018 11:42 AM

I would use cardboard covered with plaster soaked paper towels or guaze.

Image result for oil tank berm

 

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: From Golden, CO living in Puyallup (Seattle), WA
  • 751 posts
Posted by Renegade1c on Monday, July 23, 2018 1:59 PM

I use a 1"x2" from the local hardware store and cut 45 degree angles on two sides with my table saw. I glued it down and then covered them with dirt. 45 degrees makes doing the corners and such much easier if you make turns in the berms (see below). I'm sorry I don't have any "before" photos of the 1"x2"

20180313_230313

20180313_230256

20180313_225057

20180313_225054

20180410_223640


Colorado Front Range Railroad: 
http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/

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