AQRF Container Wagon

 

 

An AQRF on a Manildra Group export wheat train at Manildra, 17/12/03.        Graham Baker

 

These 30, 2TEU wagons were converted from SAR ELX/AOBX open wagons. The body ends and sides were removed and a handbrake stand was added to one end. They can carry 2 x 20ft or 1 x 40ft container.

 

Date Introduced: Early 2003

 

Running Numbers:  101 – 130.

 

Length: 14.9m                          Tare: 21t                                  Capacity: 55t                                        Gross: 76t

 

Bogies: AGXB (similar to XCL).

 

Coding:

-                     Coded AQRF as introduced into NSW,

-                     Recoded MQRF when the fleet was sold to Manildra Group in 2005.

 

Colour Scheme:

-                     They are painted allover Sunflower yellow with Rich Blue ‘Manildra Group’ lettering. Handrails, steps and control levers are white. Code lettering and bogies are black.

 

Similar Vehicles: VQOF.

 

Period of Service: 2003 – Current.

 

Operation:

            These wagons came to NSW in-conjunction with ARG winning the Manildra Group contract in 2003. Two rakes of wagons are used exclusively to convey containerised export flour from the group’s Manildra mill to Pt Botany.

 

Modelling:

            -           Victorian Hobby Centre produce a kit for the V/Line VQOF container wagon, which is near identical to the AQRF.

 

 

The fabricated handbrake stand on an AQRF.                                                   Graham Baker

 

 

An empty AQRF at Manildra.                                                                           Graham Baker