NCX 33’ Coil Steel Wagon

NCX 31917 in new condition all Photo’s S.Pracy Collection

These wagons were built using underframes from withdrawn timber-bodied MLV/NLMA louvred vans. They consist of a one-piece coil roll cradle and were fitted with a tarpaulin frame, which were later removed. They are designed carry 5 steel coils, the outer compartments being for 1.4m diameter coils whilst the other compartments hold 1.8m diameter coils. BHP loaded the coils hot and allowed them to cool in transit. These wagons are very similar to the VR CSX/VCSX/ NRC RCSF Coil wagons.

One wagon was built on a NFMX Flat wagon, instead of the ‘Fishbelly’ underframes and was coded NCX/NCNX 23148V.

Builders:

They were converted in Chullora Railway Workshops in 1974-75.

- 48 wagons were built, with numbers in the 31662-31680 and 31901-31930 ranges.

Length: 13.72m Tare: 22t Capacity: 52t Gross: 76t

Bogies: Any bogie exchangeable type has been used.

Coding:

- NCX as delivered,

- Recoded to NCNX in 1980,

- 20 were recoded to NCEX for Lysaght’s traffic only in 1988.

Colour Schemes:

- Painted PTC Blue as built and has appeared in SRA Red also.

Modifications:

- The tarpaulin frames were removed as they became damaged.

- For Lysaght’s traffic, NCEX coded wagons had rubber lining added to the cradles to protect the surface of the coils.

Modelling:

- Rails North produced a kit, but is no longer available

- BGB produced the VR CSX Coil wagon, which is very similar, the ‘Fishbelly’ underframe is available

from Hanovale Models by request.

- Article by S.Pracy and D.Willoughby here – Modelling the NCX

NCX 23148V being loaded with coil Tinplate

NCNX 31928X in SRA red, later in life with tarpaulin frames removed.

NCNX 23148V as built on NFMX underframe at Pt Kembla

Another view of NCNX 23148V at Pt Kembla.