VQAW / VQWW - '3 pack' Container Wagon


VQAW

In 1989, Vline placed into service a three platform container wagon; a '3 pack'. It was VQAW 2. The vehicle was fitted with trial "Roadmaster" bogies.

In 1990, VQAW 1 was placed into service, fitted with Gloucester "DEA" bogies. VQAW 3 was fitted with "Roadmaster" bogies. VQAW 4 also entered service in 1990.

In July 1990, VQAW 5 was placed into service. This vehicle was built as a centre well, 3 pack wagon. At South Dynon after delivery, the wagon was reclassed to VQWW.

In late 1990, VQAW 2 derailed at Homebush and blocked many lines. Resulting from the derailment, the vehicles were banned from running in NSW as both NSW and Victoria disagreed as to the cause.

In 1992, twenty four more wagons were built and placed into service, though there seemed to be little use for the wagons. A second VQAW 5 was placed into service to replace the first wagon reclassed to VQWW.

In 1993, VQAW 3 had bogies removed at South Dynon. It was noted at Islington, South Australia 'in bits' by June 1994.

The VQAW number group was 1 - 23.

In 1994, VQAW 1, 2, 4 - 23 were recoded to RQUY for National Rail Corporation (NRC) service.

VQWW

Within the same time, VQWW 1 was reclassed to RQVY for NRC use. By Oct 2001, this vehicle was in pieces in the Alice Springs yard.

Vehicle history list