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NSWPTC
Pneumatic Discharge Cement Hopper
First introduced in 1978, these hoppers were built by COMENG Braemar for
the NSWPTC and their customer Blue Circle
Southern. They replaced an aging fleet of bottom
discharge wagons.
Commencing in 1978, the first contract
was for 100 wagons coded PRX 12061-12160. These were delivered with 3
piece Bettendorf style roller bearing bogies. The second contract in
1981 was for 25 wagons coded NPRY 18201-18225 and were delivered with
1 piece 2CM style bogies, the third contract was in 1987 for 30 wagons
coded NPRF 82030-82059 and had also the same 1 piece 2CM bogies.
Whilst similar in appearance to the first contract, the second and third
contract featured the same tank body mounted closer to the wagon chassis
the result was a lower centre of gravity.
In 1980 there were several
derailments at express train speeds with PRX/NPRX wagons, the Railways
determined that the 3 piece Bettendorf style bogies too light in design
and commenced upgrading them to 2CM bogies, upon return to traffic they
were coded NPRY.
By the mid-1980s daily despatches
from Berrima, Portland and Kandos were being sent to Unanderra, Sydney
depots, Wyee and North Coast depots, Wauchope, Coffs Harbour, Grafton,
Lismore and Murwillumbah. By November 1981 BCS were despatching three 24
wagon block cement trains to North Coast depots per week.
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