Written By: Tom Schache
Photos By: Brad White
Page Last Updated: 18/7/20
Built: 1973-1986
Numbers: 1-75
25 wagons of this type were built at the VR’s Newport Workshops in 1973-1975 as FCF for the TNT container service between Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. They were initially stored until the TNT traffic had begun in mid 1976. They were recoded to FCW in 1977 as they had low level ‘aligned’ bogies, so that they could carry taller containers, such as the TNT containers. They could only be bogie exchanged with other wagons with this type of bogie.
They had smaller diameter wheels, a depressed container neck and ‘gooseneck’ couplers as the wagon was generally at a lower height when compared to other types. At 85ft long not including couplers, they were the longest type of wagon used by the VR. They had a tare weight of 24t, a capacity of 53t. Each wagon costed $76,540 to build.
In 1979, the wagons were recoded to VQDW as part of the ROA recoding of that time. Another 50 wagons were built from 1983-1986, numbered 26-75.
From 1987, 30 of this type were leased to NSW, and recoded NQMW, and numbered 60050 – 60079. These numbers can still be seen on some of the wagons today which operate on the SG as RQDYs.
Numbers: 1-75
25 wagons of this type were built at the VR’s Newport Workshops in 1973-1975 as FCF for the TNT container service between Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. They were initially stored until the TNT traffic had begun in mid 1976. They were recoded to FCW in 1977 as they had low level ‘aligned’ bogies, so that they could carry taller containers, such as the TNT containers. They could only be bogie exchanged with other wagons with this type of bogie.
They had smaller diameter wheels, a depressed container neck and ‘gooseneck’ couplers as the wagon was generally at a lower height when compared to other types. At 85ft long not including couplers, they were the longest type of wagon used by the VR. They had a tare weight of 24t, a capacity of 53t. Each wagon costed $76,540 to build.
In 1979, the wagons were recoded to VQDW as part of the ROA recoding of that time. Another 50 wagons were built from 1983-1986, numbered 26-75.
From 1987, 30 of this type were leased to NSW, and recoded NQMW, and numbered 60050 – 60079. These numbers can still be seen on some of the wagons today which operate on the SG as RQDYs.
VQDW 52 L at Maryborough. (29/11/17)
Photo By: Brad White |
VQDW 52 L at Goldsborough. (18/5/17)
Photo By: Brad White |
The wagons continued to be used on interstate intermodal trains until the formation of National Rail, where many were leased or purchased, and they were recoded RQDW. More recently, the SG VQDW types have been recoded RQDY, to reflect that they can operate at 115km/h. It appears that all have been recoded to RQDY except for one, RQDW 2-N, which retains its old class. Not all RQDYs are VQDWs however, as many South Australian and NSW ‘jumbo’ container flats were consolidated into the same class.
The remaining VQDWs saw service on intrastate container trains. In 1997, VQDWs 4 and 5 were permanently coupled with a drawbar. This modification remains in place today.
VEDW
In 1998, VQDWs 4, 5, 12 and 19 were fitted with 415V head end power cables and plugs, so that they could carry refrigerated containers. At this time they were coded to VEDW.
The remaining VQDWs saw service on intrastate container trains. In 1997, VQDWs 4 and 5 were permanently coupled with a drawbar. This modification remains in place today.
VEDW
In 1998, VQDWs 4, 5, 12 and 19 were fitted with 415V head end power cables and plugs, so that they could carry refrigerated containers. At this time they were coded to VEDW.
VEDW 4 L near Maryborough. (11/5/18)
Photo By: Brad White |
VQDW 23 T at Dunolly. (13/5/17)
Photo By: Brad White |