ABC 31320

A well weathered ABC 31320 at North Strathfield.

As the aging ABV’s began to diminish in numbers, additional covered vans were needed for the ‘Arnott’s Biscuit’ traffic. A TRC Refrigerated van was selected to be a prototype for further conversions but was never repeated.

The TRC was stripped of its ice chambers, meat hooks, drained floor and had its roof hatches sealed, thus becoming a simple ‘covered van’. The internal surfaces were sheathed in masonite.

Date Introduced: 1974

Running Numbers: Only one van was converted – 31320.

Length: 12.5m Tare: 27t Capacity: 36t Gross: 63t Equiv Length: 1.9

Bogies: 2BR

Coding:

- As converted, the van was coded ABC.

- In July 1979, the van was recoded NBBA.

Colour Scheme:

- ABC 31320 as converted, was painted in PTC Blue all over with white lettering and a white PTC MK1 logo was applied.

- Later it weathered to a typical grimy/dusty brown.

Similar Vehicles: The van was regularly seen with the other biscuit vans, the ABV.

Period of Service: 1974 – 1983 in biscuit traffic. It was condemned in July 1985.

Operation:

The van was allocated for exclusive use by ‘Arnott’s Biscuits’. It was used in-conjunction with the ABV vans to transport ‘Arnott’s Biscuits’ products from their North Strathfield plant, to many locations across NSW.

Modelling:

- A HO kit of the ABC/NBBA is available from Casula Hobbies, which is based on their TRC kit.

- On Track Models produced an RTR HO model in 2014.

Now 4-lettered, NBBA 31320 heads out on another mission to deliver biscuits to the people of NSW.