NKQX Plate Steel Wagon

 

 

RKQF 60248K at Leightonfield on 19/7/06.                                                     Josh Beveridge

 

            These wagons were modified from NQRX container wagons. Twistlocks were removed; timber bolsters, ratchet tie-down straps and stanchions were added to the sides and ends to retain steel sheets.

44 wagons were modified by FreightRail around 1989-90 and are renumbered 60225 – 60274 (except 60241 & 60252) and 60420 – 60426.

 

Length: 18m                 Tare: 20t                                  Capacity: 72t                            Gross:  92t                   Equiv Length: 2.7

(NKQX/RKQX weigh 2 ton less due to the absence of side stanchions).

Bogies: XCL – XCG – XCF types.

 

Coding:

-                     They were coded NKQF and NKQX.

-                     They were all transferred to NRC in 1994 and were recoded RKQF and RKQF.

 

Colour Scheme:

-                     They are all a dusty grey. Some appear to have had NRC Marigold painted side sills.

 

Modifications:

            As first converted they did not have side stanchions, these ones are coded NKQX/RKQX. About half were fitted with side stanchions at a later date and were recoded NKQF/RKQF.

 

Similar Vehicles: NQRX , SQKF, NKPX.

 

Period of Service: 1990 to current.

 

Operation:

            The wagons are used on interstate steel trains. They are loaded in Melbourne and taken all over Australia.

 

Modelling:

A HO scale kit of the RKQF by IDR models is available from Casula Hobbies and Hornsby Hobbyland.

 

A RKQF at Pt Kembla.                                                                        Steve Pracy photo.

 

 

The deck of RKQF 60248K at Leightonfield.                                                   Josh Beveridge

 

 

A closeup view of the end stanchions.                                                   Steven Pracy

 

 

A pair of empty NKQX’s at Cringila.                                                                Steven Pracy