Refineries are a fascinating industry to model, and they can add considerable switching activity to a model railroad operating session. Kits for contemporary refineries are available, but they weren’t much help on my 1895-era railroad where the principal retail petroleum product is kerosene instead of gasoline.
Some time ago, I became aware of the remains of an 1880s refinery in Newhall, Calif. It was the first successful refinery in the state, and about half of the plant remains standing. A little research led me to an original description of the plant plus photos of a 1930 restoration made by the Standard Oil Co.
In the August 2012 issue of Model Railroader, Don Ball drafted plans for this 1880s oil refinery.
