NZZA 800
Transformer Wagon
NZZA 800 at Cardiff Workshops
shortly after delivery on
This goliath rail vehicle was built by Cometto Industrie in Cuneo, Italy and assembled by Plasser in St Mary’s in 1982 and was then owned by the NSW State Electricity Commission. It was designed to carry really big stuff! NZZA 800 consists of two triple-bogied Schnabel carrying units and a load cradle. The Schnabel units support the cradle and are fitted with an enclosed control cab, from where operators can hydraulically maneuver the cradle ± 190mm laterally and ± 200mm vertically, to clear any obstructions.
Length: 48m Tare: 260t Capacity: 140t Gross: 400t - The heaviest rail
mounted vehicle to operate in NSW ever!
Bogies: 6 x 70t DAA. Max speed 65km/h.
Coding:
- Only ever coded NZZA.
Colour Scheme:
- As illustrated in the photo’s, this is its factory paintwork.
Period of Service: 1982 – mid 1990’s
Operation:
More info is required on this unique wagon. It was known to have one been used twice. The wagon spent the last decade stored at Goulburn, before it was moved to Dorrigo in late 2004. Its movement is covered in the DVD ‘NZZA-800 SPECIAL LOAD WAGON’ which is available from the ARHS/nsw bookshop at Central. The wagon is currently owned by Pacific Power and is on loan to DSRM as an exhibit.
Similar Wagons: It’s a one-of-a-kind!
Modelling:
- TRIX have a HO model of the ‘Shnabelwagen’ item code T24338. It would be a good basis for a kitbash.
The TRIX model as supplied.
The ‘A’ end of the vehicle, note the official codeboard. Bob Merchant
The ‘B’ end with employee’s undergoing instruction. Bob Merchant
NZZA 800 on its transfer trip to Dorrigo in
2004. Doug
Williams
Half of NZZA 800 and load cradle at Dorrigo in 2007. All following photos Rowan Mangion
A cradle support unit showing one of its 4 triple-bogied units.
Keith Jones of DSRM, explains the finer points of the behemoth.