NDAF Timber Sleeper Wagon

NDAF 2417W at Goulburn on 23-7-2006. Josh Beveridge

Designed to mechanise the handling of timber sleepers, these wagons ended the days of having to manually hand-unload timber sleepers. These wagons, for a time, worked in conjunction with the WSC sleeper wagons. Timber sleepers were moved from timber mills by the WSC’s and other open wagons and taken to Boradze plants for drilling and treating. The sleepers were then loaded into the NDAF for transport to the worksite for installation.

The wagons are marshalled in sets of up to 12, with an unloading machine wagon at one end. The machine travels down the length of the set and feeds sleepers out sideways from the wagon. The sleepers slide out of a gap between the chassis and lower ‘basket’ beam, this gap is secured by gate whilst in transit.

Builder:

- EPT at ? built ?? wagons between 198x and 198x.

Running Numbers:

Set 1 – 2423, xxxx ?

Set 2 - 2411Y (Machine wagon), 2413J, 2414S, 2415E, 2416N, 2417W, 2418X, 2419R, 2420N, 2421W, 2422X

Length: 14.6m Tare: 21t Capacity: 55t Gross: 76t Equiv Length: 2.18

Bogies: XHB, XFA, CFB.

Coding:

- They have only ever been coded NDAF.

Colour Scheme:

- They are painted in SRA red allover with white chassis edging, steps and control lever tips.

- They were originally decorated with a two-tone red/yellow L7.

- With changes in ownership, the wagons have had RAC, RSA MK1/2 logos and currently wear ARTC signage.

Period of Service: 198x to current.

Operation:

The wagons are loaded at timber sleeper plants, or other required locations, and convey the sleepers to the place they are to be installed.

Modelling:

The wagons have to be scratchbuilt.

Unloading Machine wagon NDAF 2411Y. Josh Beveridge

A closeup view of the codeboard and the hinged gates, which are fitted above the chassis and

below the basket frame. Josh Beveridge

This photo shows the recently fitted safety handrailing. It also shows the 2 pieces of rail that

allow the unloading machine to travel the length of the set. Josh Beveridge

An NDAF set ready to head south from Goulburn. Josh Beveridge

An excellent photo from above NDAF 2423 at Pt Waratah on 8/8/06, which shows without a

doubt, the construction method of the underframe. Roger Jones.