Brawa 51157 H0 Leichtbaukesselwagen Uerdingen Z [P] „Eva“, DB, Ep. IV

Brawa 51157 H0 Lightweight Tank Car Uerdingen Z [P] “Eva,” DB, Era IV

Are you looking for a tank car that authentically complements Era IV freight traffic on your H0 layout while also representing a technically interesting prototype? The Brawa 51157 H0 Lightweight Tank Car Uerdingen Z [P] “Eva,” DB, Era IV captures exactly this combination. This model represents a car type that emerged from advances in lightweight construction and welding technology and remained in freight service for many decades. As a result, the car not only adds variety to the train formation but also brings a significant chapter in tank car development to the tracks.

A Technically Interesting Prototype with a Long History of Service

The prototype for this 30m³ Uerdingen-type lightweight tank car was conceived with the idea of eliminating the actual vehicle frame in new tank cars. Instead, the tensile and impact forces were to be absorbed as much as possible by the tank itself. General technical progress in lightweight construction and welding technology was the decisive catalyst for this development. This design approach was linked to the hope of reducing raw material requirements and manufacturing costs while simultaneously producing more robust vehicles.

For this reason, the Uerdingen Car Factory was commissioned as early as 1938 to develop a lightweight tank car with a loading volume of 30 m³. As early as 1939, three prototypes were handed over to two private freight car leasing companies and to the state-run Economic Research Society for testing. Following a small pilot series in 1940, series production of this car type began in 1941. A total of approximately 3,700 cars were built. The largest customer was the Luftwaffe, with about 2,200 units, followed by the Wifo and many smaller companies. As a result, this model quickly became a prominent feature in tank car traffic.

From the Prewar Design to the Postwar Era

After the war, the cars formerly owned by Wifo and the Luftwaffe were distributed among other car operators in both German states. Largely major companies in the petroleum industry, but also smaller private firms as well as DB and DR themselves, used these cars in the decades that followed. In addition, some of the cars remained abroad and continued to be used there by new owners. It is particularly noteworthy that as late as 2016, one such car was still in use for internal plant traffic at Haltermann in Hamburg. This long service life impressively underscores the practicality and significance of the Uerdingen design.

Accurate Model Reproduction in H0 Scale

The model is built in H0 scale and is classified as Era IV. The car is clearly identified as belonging to the DB railway company with the road number 21 80 071 9 235-2 P. The length over buffers is 101.1 mm, making this model a compact yet eye-catching vehicle within mixed freight trains or specialized tank car formations. The name “Eva” lends the car an additional, unmistakable character, though it is expressly noted that EVA is a registered trademark.

The Brawa 51157 also features a finely executed design down to the smallest details. The model has finely engraved bogies and freestanding handrails, which visibly enhance its three-dimensional appearance. Added to this are separately applied axle bearing caps, separately applied spring assemblies, and a separately applied brake system. This is complemented by brake shoes at wheel level and a separately attached axle brake linkage. Especially on a tank car, these fine details ensure that the model is impressive not only as part of a train formation but also upon closer inspection.

An Attractive Addition to DB Freight Operations

Thanks to its close-coupling mechanism, the car can be seamlessly integrated into a cohesive train formation. This makes the model particularly suitable for model railroading enthusiasts and collectors who wish to expand their Era IV layout with a distinctive lightweight tank car featuring historical significance. The Brawa 51157 H0 Uerdingen Z [P] “Eva” Lightweight Tank Car, DB, Era IV combines the fascinating development history of the Uerdingen design with a highly detailed model and brings a striking representative of tank car transport to your layout. Add this expressive model to your fleet and make a compelling statement in DB freight transport.

Features:

• Scale: H0
• Era IV
• Railroad Company: DB
• Short-coupler mechanism
• Length over buffers: 101.1 mm
• Operating No.: 21 80 071 9 235-2 P
• Additional axle brake linkage
• EVA is a registered trademark.
• Bogie with three-point mounting
• Separately attached axle bearing caps
• Separately mounted spring assemblies
• Separately attached brake system
• Finely engraved bogies
• Free-standing handrails
• Brake shoes flush with the wheel

Specs:

• Gauge: H0
• Rail Company: DB
• Era: IV
• Type: Tank wagon
• Color: Green
• News: 2026

Further links:

• Print View

CAUTION: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Danger of swallowing! Age recommendation from 14 years.

Achtung! Maßstabs- und originalgetreue Kleinmodelle sowie Elektrozubehör für erwachsene Sammler. Nicht geeignet für Kinder unter 14 Jahren

Zum Betrieb des vorliegenden Produkts darf als Spannungsquelle nur ein nach VDE 0570-2-7/DIN EN 61558-2-7 gefertigter Spielzeug-Transformator verwendet werden.