ATOMIC ACCURASCALE
Accurascale has announced it will be making a second production run of its PFA wagons, this time with a variety of new tooled low-level nuclear waste containers. This new range covers the wide range of nuclear traffic the wagons have operated for DRS for more than 20 years, and includes wagons still in operation today.
First in the range is the Nupak reusable drum carriers, which were used from the late 1990s until 2017. Initially, they were used to move ageing low-level nuclear waste from Drigg to Sellafield but more recently operated to Berkeley from Winfrith and Harwell. Accurascale’s offering will feature the most common pairing of these containers, the green 3739-series and blue 3390-series alongside a 20ft container in red and brown livery.
The Nupaks were replaced in 2017 with Novapak Type Bs which are larger in size and offer better protection to the waste inside. They are used on the same routes and often mixed with the ‘Dragon’ flasks the Irish manufacturer is also offering. Initially, they were run in pairs. However, since last year, running as quads has become the norm as the programmes to decommission the Harwell and Winfrith sites were accelerated. Similarly to the Nupaks, the Novapak boxing will also include a wagon loaded with a 20ft container.
Most recently, ‘Dragon’ flasks have been introduced to the network. These carry 40-litre stainless steel canisters from the decommissioned Winfrith Dragon reactor in Dorset. These allow modellers to produce a road and rail scene, as the containers are moved by road to the loading terminal at Berkeley for onward transport to Sellafield. First appearing in 2018, the containers were often accompanied by one or two 20ft Full Height ISO containers, which Accurascale will also depict.
Finally, Accurascale is producing a container that is similar to a 20ft ocean-going IUSO container, however these have a subtly angled centre and strengthening ribs on each side. These are used for the export of reprocessed uranium from the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant at Sellafield to Russia. These often ran as a rake of 15 PFAS with the end pair empty and acting as a barrier. Starting in 2004, these services were often top and tailed by Class 20/3s and Class 37, but more recently have used Class 68s.
Artwork is complete on all of the wagons and delivery is expected in Q4 2021. As with the first run, the wagons will be offered in triple packs priced at £74.95 and six packs will be available.