The latter is a technique called 'bio-remediation', I believe, & was used on a reasonably large scale during the construction of the first phase of the University of Lincoln, which occupies much of the site of the former GN engine shed & GN/GC goods yard at East Holmes - large areas were found to be heavily contaminated with oil, presumably spillage from the lubrication of steam locos & later diesel loco fuelling.
Returning to the topic at hand, however, there was also an 'oil stores' siding on Ropewalk to the south of the shed that was in operation by the '20s (I have a photo of two 'motor spirit' tanks there in 1924).
I've also had a rummage through my files & found an agreement document between the LNER & Shell-Mex & BP Ltd. for the provision of 'pipe lines & stand posts' at Catterick Bridge station on the Richmond branch dating from June 1935. The attached plan shows three new stand posts - two for 'spirit & kero' & one for 'spirit (A.M.A)' - adjacent to an existing siding to the north of the running lines, at the eastern end of the station, with pipe lines then running south (presumably under the railway) to a depot to the south-east of the signal box.
Kevin