Written By: Tom Schache
Photos By: Brad White and Macauley Haywood
Past Last Updated: 13/7/20
VHGF
Built: 1966-1988
Numbers: 1-635 (at least)
VHHF
Built: 1982-1984
Numbers: 801-915
Built: 1966-1988
Numbers: 1-635 (at least)
VHHF
Built: 1982-1984
Numbers: 801-915
VHGF 107 P in the yards at Maryborough. (5/10/13)
Photo By: Brad White |
VHHF 822 P trailing a grain train at Dunolly. (23/7/18)
Photo By: Brad White |
One of the most famous of the Victorian bogie hoppers, is the VHGF grain hoppers. They have been the backbone of Victoria’s main rail business since the first one entered traffic in 1966.
In 1966, the VR placed an order with Tulloch in NSW for 100 Aluminium bogie hoppers, and another 100 with Steelweld for 100 steel hoppers, numbered 1 – 200, and delivered between 1966 and 1969. These were coded GJX, and intended to be a modern replacement to the many thousands of fixed wheel open wagons previously used for grain haulage. The first 100 hoppers have a distinct appearance, being more curved than the steel hoppers. They were pressed into service hauling grain from Dunolly and Marmalake (Murtoa) to Portland and Geelong for export.
By 1972, all of the wagons except the first 20, (1-20) were recoded to GJF and had their grade control equipment removed, as otherwise they could be bogie exchanged and used by the NSWGR, which could not be allowed by the VR who was short of wheat wagons. This ensured that they stayed in Victoria. The same year, another 150 steel hoppers, numbered 201-350, were built by the VR.
The 1979 recode saw the GJFs and GJXs recoded to VHGY. At this time a further 30 were built, bringing the class up to a respectable 380 class.
In 1966, the VR placed an order with Tulloch in NSW for 100 Aluminium bogie hoppers, and another 100 with Steelweld for 100 steel hoppers, numbered 1 – 200, and delivered between 1966 and 1969. These were coded GJX, and intended to be a modern replacement to the many thousands of fixed wheel open wagons previously used for grain haulage. The first 100 hoppers have a distinct appearance, being more curved than the steel hoppers. They were pressed into service hauling grain from Dunolly and Marmalake (Murtoa) to Portland and Geelong for export.
By 1972, all of the wagons except the first 20, (1-20) were recoded to GJF and had their grade control equipment removed, as otherwise they could be bogie exchanged and used by the NSWGR, which could not be allowed by the VR who was short of wheat wagons. This ensured that they stayed in Victoria. The same year, another 150 steel hoppers, numbered 201-350, were built by the VR.
The 1979 recode saw the GJFs and GJXs recoded to VHGY. At this time a further 30 were built, bringing the class up to a respectable 380 class.
VHGF 74 Y in Bendigo Yard. (4/5/08)
Photo By: Brad White |
VHGF 104 L in the consist of a PN grain train. (2019)
Photo By: Macauley Haywood |
In 1983, with V/Line taking over from Vicrail, and to replace the ageing GY 4 wheel wagons, they built many more hoppers of the steel design. Numbers 381-450 were constructed in 1984-1985. Many more of the type were constructed until 1988, when the class had totalled at least 635. It is not known what the last number actually was, there is some evidence to suggest that 637 did exist, however it could generally be assumed that the last number was roughly 635. Also around this time, the code was changed from VHGY to VHGF to reflect that the wagons could only travel at freight speeds (80km/h).
With the conversion of the Portland Line, as well as many other grain-only lines in 1995 to SG, some were recoded to VHGX to reflect that they could operate on SG. These numbers were selected at random.
With the conversion of the Portland Line, as well as many other grain-only lines in 1995 to SG, some were recoded to VHGX to reflect that they could operate on SG. These numbers were selected at random.
VHHF 881 X at Maroona in a PN grain train. (19/6/20)
Photo By: Brad White |
VHHF 862 B in Echuca. (11/7/16)
Photo By: Brad White |
VHHF
While these may appear identical to the VHGFs, there is one small difference. They are around 60cm longer than a VHGF. Built between 1982 and 1984 to supplement the VHGFs, and numbered 801-915 they were initially coded VHHY before being coded VHHF in the late 1980s.
In 1985, 12 of this type (801-812) were recoded VHEY, had their rooves removed and pressed into briquette traffic.
In 1990, 30 were recoded to VHHX, reflecting that they had grade control equipment fitted and could operate on SG. These were renumbered 700-729.
While these may appear identical to the VHGFs, there is one small difference. They are around 60cm longer than a VHGF. Built between 1982 and 1984 to supplement the VHGFs, and numbered 801-915 they were initially coded VHHY before being coded VHHF in the late 1980s.
In 1985, 12 of this type (801-812) were recoded VHEY, had their rooves removed and pressed into briquette traffic.
In 1990, 30 were recoded to VHHX, reflecting that they had grade control equipment fitted and could operate on SG. These were renumbered 700-729.
VHAF 302 M in Ararat. (21/4/15)
Photo By: Brad White |
VHAF 387 G at Emu. (22/8/19)
Photo By: Brad White |
VHRF/X
In the V/Line era, as more hoppers entered service, some of the older aluminium hoppers, numbered 1-100, were recoded for use in rice traffic. There were at least 23 conversions, selected randomly throughout the number block. All of these wagons have since been recoded back to VHGF.
VHAF
During the FA era, many VHGFs were been fitted with pneumatic roof lids and discharge doors for use in Southern NSW. Since then, Pacific National have continued this program, and currently in 2020, most VHGF type wagons you will see on the mainline are coded VHAF. Many can be easily recognised by their freshly painted reflective yellow stripe on the underframe.
In the V/Line era, as more hoppers entered service, some of the older aluminium hoppers, numbered 1-100, were recoded for use in rice traffic. There were at least 23 conversions, selected randomly throughout the number block. All of these wagons have since been recoded back to VHGF.
VHAF
During the FA era, many VHGFs were been fitted with pneumatic roof lids and discharge doors for use in Southern NSW. Since then, Pacific National have continued this program, and currently in 2020, most VHGF type wagons you will see on the mainline are coded VHAF. Many can be easily recognised by their freshly painted reflective yellow stripe on the underframe.
BGGX 1091 N at North Geelong. (2019)
Photo By: Macauley Haywood |
BGGX 1092 W at Bendigo. (7/6/19)
Photo By: Brad White |
BGGX
In 2015, Southern Shorthaul Railroad acquired 9 ex Pacific National VHGFs which were stored at Murtoa. These were moved to their North Bendigo Workshops, where they were overhauled and repainted, as well as being recoded to BGGX and renumbered to 1091-1099.
These were sent into service in NSW on the SG, painted in SSR’s yellow scheme.
In late 2017, SSR won the contract to service the Allied Mill at Kensington, and so these were converted to BG and continue service in SSR’s Broad Gauge grain consist, now painted in a striking black scheme.
In 2015, Southern Shorthaul Railroad acquired 9 ex Pacific National VHGFs which were stored at Murtoa. These were moved to their North Bendigo Workshops, where they were overhauled and repainted, as well as being recoded to BGGX and renumbered to 1091-1099.
These were sent into service in NSW on the SG, painted in SSR’s yellow scheme.
In late 2017, SSR won the contract to service the Allied Mill at Kensington, and so these were converted to BG and continue service in SSR’s Broad Gauge grain consist, now painted in a striking black scheme.
An article from the VR Newsletter. (1966)
From: victorianrailways.net
From: victorianrailways.net
All information sourced from victorianrailways.net, Mark Bau and Peter J Vincent