PCX Cement Hopper
NPCF 12056G in
These aluminum hoppers were an enlarged version of the CSR PCC crushed limestone hopper which featured the same integrated bogie bolster/bulkhead with single cell tank design. They are fitted with 4 pneumatic bottom discharge doors with 3 gravity loading hatches.
Builders:
Tulloch Ltd of Rhodes built 10 tankers in 1973 and was numbered 12051 – 12060.
Length: 14.12m Tare: 18t Capacity: 56t Gross: 76t Equivalent Length: 2.3
Bogies: XGA, XCL, XCF
Coding:
- Originally coded PCC.
- They were recoded PCX in 1975.
- Recoded NPCF in 1979.
Colour Scheme:
- Wagons were unpainted aluminum with black lettering.
- They gradually weathered with cement dust.
- Fielder’s Flour added signage to NPCF 12057 when employed in their corn flour haulage.
- FreightCorp repainted 12051, 12054 and 12060 in their livery of white body, blue underframe, grey bogies with a large FC logo on the tank sides.
Period of Service: 1973 – 1999.
Similar Wagons: PCC/NPSF 3491
Operation:
Originally intended for cement traffic from Kandos, these hoppers were relegated to other powdered products traffic when superceded by the PRX hopper. In mid-1989 the entire class, were leased to WAGR to cover a shortage of cement tankers. It is unsure when the wagons returned, but most members ended their days hauling flyash (a by-product of coal powered power stations) which is mixed to make special grades of cement, from Murwillumbah to Wyee.
Little is known at this stage about the use of NPCF 12057 for Fielder’s flour traffic. As pictured below. If anyone can shed any light on the subject, please let me know here.
Modelling: Plan Here
No model is available at present. A collection of detail photos are available on Keiran Ryan’s ARDP CD2.
NPCF 12057 with its unique ‘Fielder’s Bulk Corn Flour’ signage. Peter MacKerme