Railway Oil Tanks, and the models (3).
Aral and BV-Aral, and Shell
Aral's origins go back over 100 years, to the formation of Westdeutsche Benzol-Verkaufs-Vereinigung
GmbH in November 1898 as a marketer of benzole, a by-product of coal. From
this lengthy name, the abbreviation BV was used as a trading name and the
main motor spirit was Bevaulin. In 1924 a new name was added to certain blends:
ARAL, which came from the words "ARomaten" and "ALiphate"
which were felt to be the new fuel's qualities. Over the next 50 years ARAL
became the main brand, although the BV was not removed from the logo until
1974.
As a benzole producer, Aral did not add lead to its petrol in the 1950s/60s
and worked quite closely with other oil companies. Mobil kept a stake of almost
30% in Aral until the 1990s. Aral acquired Gasolin in the 1950s but did not
change the branding until August 1971.
Shell companies have been 40:60 owned by Britain's Shell Transport & Trading and the Netherland's Royal Dutch since 1907.
The Aral is a Maerklin 47903 ( the tank came with a diecast model Bussing road tanker). The Shell model is from a Trix early 1950's freight car set 23858.
First page of tanks - index - DEA and Rheinpreussen