BCH/NHDA Coal Hopper

BCH 28625 as built in 1951. SRA photo

These wagons are of all steel construction and were the first bogie vehicles built without buffers. The main side of the hopper is flat, as later types of other hoppers were curve-sided. They have 3 pairs of double bottom discharge doors arranged one each side of the centre beam. Most were fitted with roofs from 1953 for either grain or cement products as traffic demands required, and were withdrawn from coal duties as larger CH type coal hoppers were introduced. Some were only tarped when used for grain traffic.

Builders:

1485 wagons were built over 3 contracts,

- 400 built by Commonwealth Eng, delivered in 1951-54.

- 400 buily by A.Goninan, delivered in 1952-54.

The above 800 wagons were numbered 28625-29424.

- 685 were supplied in kit form from Waggonfabrik Talbot, in Aachen Germany . They were assembled by Commonwealth Engineering in 1954-60

These were numbered 32000-32749.

Length: 36’ / 10.97m Equiv Length: 2.2

Codings:

BCH – As introduced

Bogies: 2BP (Plain Bearings) Tare: 19 ton Gross: 43 ton

FCH –

Bogies: 2CF (Roller Bearings) Tare: 21 ton Gross: 52 ton

HCH –

Bogies: 2CG (Roller Bearings) Tare: 22 ton Gross: 55 ton

BCH to NHDA, FCH to NHDF, HCH to NHDF in 1979 recoding system.

Colour Schemes:

- Painted Black as delivered.

- Also seen in PTC Blue and SRA Red, but all weathered down to rusty grimy black/grey.

Modifications:

Most were fitted with 76-ton 2CF bogies from 1965 and recoded FCH.

Modelling:

A good basic HO kit of both the BCH and FCH, is available from AR Kits. Mainswest Models and Ozzy Detailing Parts produce a comprehensive detailing parts pack.

Overhead view of a BCH. SRA photo

New HCH 32753, note clasp-brake type bogies. SRA photo.

BCH 32259 as preserved at the RTM FCH 32465 in the late 1970’s