QH / VFGA - Heavy Load Transport

QH

To assist with the transport of heavy loads, four flat wagons were constructed using 'S' steam engine tender underframes and bogies. The vehicles were originally classed _Q__ numbers 133 - 136 and were recoded to QH 1 - 4 to make a distinctive group.

Of interest, the railways created a group of heavy capacity transports during the late 1950's/early 1960's, partly for Hazelwood Power Station construction and the hydro electric scheme in the Kiewa Valley, NSW. As there were a limited number of high capacity bogies, some vehicles were removed from bogies and stored on the ground to allow the others to run.

QH 1 was unique in construction. It featured plain flat sides. QH 2 - 4 had the sides strengthened sides at floor level.

In the 1979 recoding the class was relettered to VFGA.

VFGA

With the removal of 'common carrier' status and the deregulation of transport, the majority of high capacity loading is now done by road.

By 1991 the wagons were all in storage.