5 Days of SteelLink (XW4) - Day 4

Here is a selection of blue boxes and butter boxes used to carry steel loads protected under removable covers.  It is always interesting to compare the amount of weathering on each box.

NQOY 14925 with two blue boxes.

NQTY 20916 - a former BDY/NODY.

RQMY 20530 is also a former BDY/NODY despite carrying a VR wagon code.

VQTY 542, fitted with 70T bogies.

NQFF 21510 with a pair of butter boxes.  Post Patrick Portlink operations, the NQFF type wagons have found a home on the steel services hauling various loads including jumbo coil.

RKLY 20323 with two-piece bogies and the same chassis as RKMY 20530 above.

RKMY 165 which carries the correct code for a former ELX chassis.

RQIY 10198 with a standard pair of butter boxes.

RQTY 12, which is an upgraded AQCX or VQCX, with smooth sides and removed chain boxes.  70T bogies are also fitted.

Enjoy!

5 Days of SteelLink (XW4) - Day 3

A smaller selection of shots, but here a a few open wagons.  Not sure what these were loaded with (if anything), but could have been copper plates.  Note the various tarp colours and patches on the various wagons!

V/Line RKCX 14.

Former AN wagon, RKCX 59

With a repair to the side, RKCX 118.

No ridge pole on NSW stock means no tarp.  This wagon is RKDF 20325 (which is a former BDY/NODY)

Enjoy!

5 Days of SteelLink (XW4) - Day 2

A few odd bods in this selection.

Rarely seen these days, RKTF 3025, with the extra set of centre doors, 70T bogies, and extension poles for pipe carrying.  

A single empty plate steel wagon was on the train - RKQF 60269.

One of three RCSFs on the train, returning to Port Kembla, here is RCSF 69 still with V/Line logos.

Another V/Line classic, VQCY 909 with a pair of closed Royal Wolf flatracks.

Wheel carrier RZXY 2246 in ANR red.

Wheel carrier RZXY 2252 in NRC grey.

Enjoy!

5 Days of SteelLink (XW4) - Day 1

After dodging clouds on Saturday afternoon, I managed to snap XW4 steel service past Aylmerton.  After looking over my photos, this consist could be one of the most interesting all year.  In order to document the variety of wagons, the next five Blog posts will highlight the interesting wagons on this service.

Up front was a pretty standard combination of double NRs.  NR113 led.

RKWY 11 loaded with reo bar (probably from Melbourne).

RKWY 4017 loaded with structural steel (probably from Whyalla).

RQCY 865 loaded with two Royal Wolf boxes (probably from Kalgoorlie or Melbourne)

RQCY 912.  I was more interested in the container as it looked to have a different colour door (but it was just red dirt!).  Interestingly, this wagon has been modified at some point, with side sills cleaned of lashing rings and stanchion brackets.  The deck has been skeletalised, yet the chain boxes remain.  An interesting and possibly unique RQCY/VQCX type wagon.  

VQCY 576 still in Freight Australia green.

A Royal Wolf box with the newer logo on display.

Enjoy and stay tuned for Day 2!

PS6 Flatracks

Went out for a sunny shot on Saturday of PS6 with an interesting combo including 8211 as third unit.

NR37 leading a quad including 8211.

A flatrack with a section of scaffold or crane laying flat for transport.

Another sectional piece on a flatrack. 

The same section again (taken at Yerrinbool).

RQJW 60019 with a load of timber.

RQJW 22064 with a nice mix of containers.

RQFY 19 with a container fitted with what looks to be an air conditioner.

RQNW 12 with aligned bogies.  Always a favourite.

PN 5-pack well RRRY 7015 up front.

Last well in the set had a single container.  Note the blue insides of the well.

Enjoy!

VQOF 1068

Not my usual sunny side portrait, but this one was too important too miss.

I have seen various videos and photos of PN broad gauge container services with a PN blue VQOF.  Anyway, managed to snap VQOF 1068 the other week.

Enjoy  

Qube 8168 - Bargo

This Qube train (8168) was following PS6 on the same day.

Qube RL309 and an MZ.

RL309 in Qube livery.

Former NOBX/BDX come CQFY 429.

A relatively new build, CQJY 2450.

A 80ft blue CQMY.

Another CQMY, but this one wears the Patrick Portlink red livery.

An original Lachlan Valley LQAY wagon now owned by Qube.

Enjoy!

PS6

Some photos of PS6 at Bargo back in mid May.

NR22 leading another NR.

Chess Moving box CHEU.

A pair of QRX 'QRXS' side door containers - historically an uncommon sight south of Brissy.

Another QRXS box on the train

Still looking good for nearly 20 years of operation - RRZY 7017.

A seacell Royal Wolf box on a new RRQY 5-pack from China.

An early series Sadleirs container.  These are at least 20 years old.

Another common load of Wesbeam timber.

Enjoy!

RKDF 20339

Noticed a very clean and shiny RKDF 20339 in Melbourne on Wednesday.  This former open wagon has been modified to look the same as an RKHF with the doors and side removed and bolsters and stanchions fitted.

Looks good repainted.   Enjoy!