In the late 1970's the rail systems negotiated a contract to transfer slab steel from Port Kembla, NSW to the rolling mill at Hastings, Victoria. The rail contract replaced coastal shipping.
The slab steel sections were railed to Albury on standard gauge and then transhipped to broad gauge wagons by crane. The broad gauge train was able to make an unbroken journey from Albury to Hastings. Whilst bogie exchange was an obvious choice, perhaps congestion, bogie exchange capacity, bogie storage or operational costs were the main disadvantages.
The first traffic moves were made with ESX_ / VODX wagons.
In 1980, eight wagons were converted from early plain sided ELX_ / VOBX wagons. The wagons were classed VOEX, with numbers 1 to 8. Conversion involved removal of doors, placement of floor bolsters and wooden bolsters placed on the inside bulkheads.
In March 1984, four more wagons were converted. VOEX 9 - 12 were converted from plain sided VOBX wagons.
In 1984/1985 the VODX class was relettered to VOEX. VODX 13 to 26 became VOEX 13 to 26. VODX 1 to 12 became VOEX 27 to 38.
In 1986 more conversions were done to cope with increased traffic. VOEX 39 to 50 were converted from VOBX / VOCX wagons.
About June 1987, the VOEX wagons were reclassed to VKEX.
The VKEX numbers were 1 to 50.
In 1994, the wagons came under control of the NRC and were reclassed to RKEX.
File c498m compiled by Peter J. Vincent, updated 26/11/2007