ICX Container Wagon

ICX 14801 in fresh PTC Blue at Clyde Wagon Workshops. SRA Photo

The ICX family of wagons were the first purpose-built container wagon in NSW. Several other classes of flat wagon had been converted to carry containers but the later versions of the ICX were built with skeletalised decks to reduce wagon tare weight and maximise payload.

Builders:

A total of 255 wagons were built in 6 batches.

- 40 were built by Chullora Workshops between 1968-69, and numbered 14501-14540

- 15 were built by Chullora Workshops in 1971, and numbered 14486-14500 (Fitted with 415V cabling)

- 30 were built by Perway Workshops in 1972, and numbered 14456-14485 (14471-14485 fitted with 415V cabling)

- 45 were built by Clyde Wagon Workshops in 1974, and numbered 14801-14845

- 75 were built by Goninan, Newcastle between 1975-76, and numbered 22101-22175

- 50 were built by Goninan, Newcastle between 1980-81, and numbered 10151-10200

Length: 13.72m Tare: SCE/ECX 22t Capacity: 52t Gross: 70t Equiv Length: 2.2

ICX 18t 58t 76t

NQIY 20t 60t 80t

NQHX 18t 62t 80t

Bogies: SCE – Plain Bearing type, ECX/ICX – XCG and NQIY – 2CM. Some later fitted with XCF/XCL bogies.

Coding:

Batch	Deck as built	As Introduced	ROA recode	Later Recoding
14501-14540	Solid	SCE	NQIA	NQIF when fitted with roller bearing bogies XCF
14486-14500	Plated	ECX	NQCX	NQHX - 415V cabling removed and deck skeletalised.
14456-14470	Solid	ICX	NQIX	NSPF – 6 allocated to ICI Explosive traffic.
14471-14485	Skeletal	ECX	NQCX
14801-14845	Skeletal	ICX	NQIX	NQHX - 415V cabling removed and deck skeletalised.
22101-22175	Skeletal	ICX	NQIX	NCIX for jumbo coil traffic. Recoded to RCIX with NRC
10151-10200	Skeletal	NQIY	-	RQIY when allocated to NRC

Later coding:

- NSPF 14458, 14461, 14464.

- 122 x NQHXs were converted from 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th batch is wagon in the last 1980’s for ore trains from Cobar and Blayney.

Colour Scheme:

- As delivered, all batches except the last painted PTC Teal Blue.

- NQIY, were painted SRA Red.

- 22100 series NQIXs were repainted SRA red in the mid 80’s.

Modifications: Many of the ECX’s had their 415V cabling and decks removed when converted to NQHX.

Similar Vehicles: …….the ODDITIES!

NTAF on NQIY chassis NQIX 60280 converted from a GLX underframe

Period of Service: 1968 to Current day.

Operation:

- ICXs were pooled into the general NSW regional container traffic fleet.

- ECX’s were used on mechanical ‘Reefer’ refrigerated container services from country meat works to Darling Harbour and interstate capitals. The power for the ‘Reefers’ was supplied by EHG Power Vans (converted MHG’s).

- NSPF wagons replaced BPV Powder Vans in moving explosives in ICI Explosive containers between Tocumwal and NSW mine and quarry locations.

- NQIY are pooled into the Interstate container traffic fleet. They were allocated to NRC upon inception.

- In 2005, PN transferred 30 assorted NQIF/NQIX/NQHXs to Tasmania and recoded them QX 500-530.

- Since 2005, 90% of the remaining ECX/SCE/ICX have been used on the daily Veolia Waste train, which operates daily to Tarago, NSW.

Modelling:

- Scaleways produced a urethane kit modelled after wagon ICX 14467. It represents any wagon in the 2^nd batch.

- Scaleways produced a urenthane kit representing the 3^rd and 4^th batch (Clyde Wagon Works) but modelled with a full deck.

- Scaleworks produced a laser cut styrene sheet kit representing the 5^th batch (Goninan) in 1999.

- In Front Models produced a urethane kit representing the 5^th batch (Goninan) in 2018. It is currently available.

- SDS Models produced a RTR HO scale model of the solid and skeletal deck ICX’s in 2019 and are currently available.

Plans: 1^st batch SCE 2^nd batch ECX 3^rd / 4^th batch ICX 5^th batch ICX

Further reading:

- Freight Wagons in NSW, 1982 by John Beckhaus.

1^st batch SCE 14527 at Dynon in 1979. Rob O’Regan

2^nd batch ECX 14492 Albury Nov’78. Rob O’Regan

2^nd batch wagon but carrying a 1^st batch running number!! Steven Pracy

2^nd batch and ex ECX - NQHX 14490V at Enfield Yard in 2007. Josh Beveridge

3^rd batch ICX but as NSPF 14458 with ICI Explosive RACE containers at Albury in 1979. Rob O’Regan

NSPF 14461 at Albury in 1979. NOTE: The angled side sill ends of the 3^rd batch. Rob O’Regan

3^rd batch ICX 14469 at South Dynon in 1979. Rob O’Regan

3^rd batch NQIX 14471R with Peter’s Milk ISO tank-containers.

4^th batch ICX 14810 at Wodonga Coal Siding, August ’79. Rob O’Regan

4^th batch RQIX with coil steel ‘Butter boxes’ at Pt Kembla Yard in 2005. Steven Pracy

5^th batch NQIX 22163 with OAK Milk ISO tanktainers at Taree in 1994. Allan Brown

A pair of 5^th batch NCIX’s passing Cringila. Steven Pracy

5^th batch NQHX 22175 loaded with Ore containers at Morandoo in 2004. Josh Beveridge

6^th batch NQIY 10173 with Dairy Farmers Milk ISO tanktainers.

6^th batch NQIY 10159J with NGA containers. SDS photo