CPX Chipboard Wagon

CPX 30303 in South Dynon Yard on broad gauge bogies. Rob O’Regan

20 wagons were converted by Clyde Wagon Workshops between 1967-73 from lengthened LLV/HLV louvre van undeframes. They had a timber deck and carried sheet materials by means of bulkheads. The ‘B’ end has a fixed bulkhead whilst the ‘A’ end has an adjustable bulkhead. After loading the sheets against the fixed bulkhead, the other bulkhead was adjusted up tight to limit longtudinal movement of the sheets. Lashing rails along the side sills retained the load laturally. This gave a loading space from a minimum of 46’11” (14.3m) to a maximum of 49’8” (15.1m).

Wagon 29430, the first wagon converted, was unique in that it had fixed bulkheads with a loading space of 50ft (15.3m). The reason for this is unknown.

Running Numbers: 29430, 29438, 29455, 29465, 29480, 29616, 29618, 30296-30306, 31379 and 31532.

Length: 58ft (17.7m) Tare: 26t Capacity: 48t Gross: 74t Equiv Length: 2.8

Bogies: Any exchange type

Coding: Originally coded CPX. Recoded, NFGX after 1979.

Colour Scheme: Painted in NSWR Gunmetal grey overall with white lettering and details.

Similar Vehicles: HPX

Period of Service: 1967- early 1990’s.

Operation: Used to transport sheet materials such as plywood, particleboard, pyneboard etc, from Mt Gambier in SA to NSW destinations.

Modelling: PLAN Would have to be scratchbuilt.

CPX 30300 at Albury in August 1979. Rob O’Regan

CPX 30301 at Wodonga Coal Sidings in August 1979. Rob O’Regan