NKPX/RKPX/RKPF Plate Steel Wagon

NKPX 30310R in original condition, painted in FreightRail blue. Roger Jones

The 20 NKPX wagons were converted from PX/NFPX flat wagons in 1991-92. The NKPX has a floor of expanded mesh, a skeletal “bulkhead” of four stanchions at each end, ten or twelve timber bolsters with ten ratchet tie-down straps. Eight or nine fixed, unequally-spaced stanchions each side have been added subsequently.

Builders:

- ? Converted by Railway Workshops?

Running Numbers: 30307 - 30326

Length: 18.6m Tare: 21t (22 for RKPX) Capacity: 55 - 61t (depending on line) Gross: 76-82t Equiv Length: 3.0

Bogies: NKPX/RKPX - exchange type,

RKPF - 70t ride control.

Coding:

- NKPX as converted

- All existing wagons transferred to NR as RKPX (may exclude 30321 – more information required)

- Most, maybe all, subsequently converted to RKPF in 2003.

Colour Scheme:

- Evidence of a few painted in FreightRail blue but most apparently not repainted when converted, or since. The wagons generally have a rusty appearance. Further information is welcome.

Modifications: Fixed steel stanchions (eight or nine per side) have been added since entering NR/PN service. The connecting bar at the top of the bulkhead was removed, possibly at the same time.

Similar Vehicles: Very similar to the RKQF/X which is 0.6m shorter. The most obvious difference between the two is the bulkhead. On the RKQF the verticals are equispaced whereas the RKPF has the centre pair of uprights closer together than the left hand or right hand pair. The outermost verticals are closer to the corner of the wagon on the RKPF than on the RKQF.

Period of Service: 1991 - Present

Operation: These wagons were introduced without the side stanchions and were used for slightly out-of-gauge plate (eg on 9393 Wollongong to Perth service) as well as ordinary (within gauge) plate. Since the fitting of stanchions, and the introduction of a large number of tilt-bed wagons, they are no longer suitable or used for out-of-gauge steel plate traffic. They are regulars on YN2/NY3 and PW4/WP2 Steel trains.

Modelling:

IDR models have released a model of the RKQF, which could be converted into a NKPF/RKPX. It is available from Casula Hobbies and Hornsby Hobbyland.

RKPF30317M (9 stanchion) at Taree, 11/10/2006 Roger Jones

RKPF30309W (8 stanchion) at Telegraph Point, note the differences from the RKQF it’s

coupled to. 2/8/2006. Roger Jones

Half of RKPF 30317M at Varley’s (Carrington), 8/8/2006, showing, the expanded mesh deck.

Roger Jones

RKPX 30320G in original condition, note the horizontal bar on the top of the bulkhead.

Roger Jones