The VHAF wheat hopper was introduced into NSW in 2000 as part of the Freight Australia ‘Westons’ domestic wheat train service, which supplies the ‘Westons Millings’ flour mill at Nth Enfield (Sydney) with grain from any part of NSW. They were modified from VHGF grain hoppers with the fitted of pneumatic opening systems for the top roof hatches and the bottom discharge doors.

Due to the mill having a short unloading grid (originally designed to unload RU Wheat hoppers) the bottom doors open 2 at a time. Other wagons of this code (for export wheat unloading at Pt Kembla) open the 4 bottom doors at once.

Further Modifications:

- 12 were rebuilt from VHGF’s with a different top roof hatch opening mechanism. These are distinguished by the large gear wheel and safety cage, on one end of the wagon. They are used on the ‘Friskies Flyer’ wheat train based at the Friskies Pet Food plant in Blayney.

Length: 14.9m Tare: 22.4t Gross: 76t

Bogies: VXSC

Running Numbers: A total of 97 were converted to VHAF.

Some numbers are - 502D, 504V, 512I, 514E, 518T, 520S, 521K, 529N, 530K, 531S, 535X, 538M, 539V, 542M, 544H, 546C, 552F, 559Y, 561T, 562F, 563Y, 566S, 570S, 572N, 577M, 580D, 581M, 584Q, 585C, 587U, 590L, 600P, 602K, 605Y, 606A, 613E, 618D, 619M, 620X, 622D, 625H, 626Q, 628L, 632L. 604K, 609E, 611J. 564C.

Colour Schemes:

- As introduced, they were painted FA Green with a medium FV logo, and a thin yellow line along the chassis. Coding was above the chassis beam.

- On some, the yellow line was deleted and a small FA logo was applied.

- As graffiti became a problem, the coding was placed along the top of the wagon instead of above chassis beam.

- In early 2005, Chullora RFS in Sydney started repainting them with a yellow line the full width of the chassis beam and applied a large FA logo.

- In mid 2005, most export VHAF’s were painted into the PN livery.

Operation:

From introduction until early 2005 – The ‘Weston’s’ trains operated with a set 20 wagon rake, hauled by a usual G + T class engine combination. Up to 3 additional T class were added to suit operational needs. Occasionally an X class would be used to cover shortages.

The ‘Friskies’ train ran as an 11 wagon train hauled by 2 x T class locomotives.

The ‘Waratah’ export wheat ran as a 40 wagon train, which was usually hauled by a 3 x EL’s and 2 x T class engine combo. G classes were used when required.

After early 2005, the ‘Waratah’ train no longer runs, the ‘Weston’s’ uses 81 and 48 class engines and the ‘Friskies’ T class have been replaced by a pair of 48 class locomotives.

Modelling in HO:

- Steam Era Models has produced a kit of the VHGF hopper in FA livery. All that is needed to do is change the code and add the door opening equipment.

Other pictures:

VHAF 564 as first bought to NSW for FA. VHAF 566S - Graffitied, the reason why the coding was moved.

VHAF 600P in Chullora 2005 repaint scheme. VHAF 615W in PN livery, mid 2005