In 1979 the railways sent two new ELX_ type underframes to Portec, Villawood, Sydney for fitting out with sleeper discharge equipment.
The sleepers (ties) were loaded in vertical rows. A hydraulic "kicker" pushed the bottom sleeper of a row out the side. When a row was finished, the "kicker" moved on to the next row. This equipment was to replace the manual unloading usually done from various open wagons.
Unfortunately the system did not work too well and it was not until the mid 1980's that the method was refined.
This writer believes that a lot of problems stem from the difference between VR sleepers and ties used in North America. Victorian sleepers are hardwood and are sawn on site in the bush by various subcontractors. This can lead to slight variations in length, height and width; not a problem with manual loading/unloading. The U.S. ties on the other hand are generally of softwood and are sawn in a mill where dimensions can be uniform.
Concrete sleepers are handled by other methods.
This method of sleeper discharge was written up in the VR Newsletters about 1959.
During March 1989, these two wagons were reclassed to VZOY 1, 2.
In June 1990, VZOY 1, 2 were reclassed to VZSF 1, 2.
VZSF 1, 2 were in storage at Tottenham Yard from 1991 to 1997. During August 1997, they were moved from Tottenham Yard, destination unknown.