Newsdesk: 'O' gauge PFA

Low-level nuclear waste containers with a third run of the PFA wagon in ‘O’ gauge are announced by Accurascale. Cavalex Models explores options for weathering on its forthcoming TEA tank wagon model.

DEMAND for the new Accurascale PFA container wagons loaded with halfheight low level nuclear waste (LLNW) containers was so great they sold out in record time, prompting Accurascale to take a closer look at LLNW traffic.

The PFA wagons concerned are of the four-wheel type built by Standard Wagon between 1986 and 1988 for containerised coal traffic (CAWD 92703-874) which has since ceased to operate. A special frame was designed to allow them to carry conventional containers by lifting them clear of the top of the axleguards. LLNW and 20ft gypsum containers are now common loads. PFAs acquired by DRS are used as barrier wagons and to carry LLNW containers including special 20ft ISO half-height boxes as supplied with the first runs of the Accurascale PFA.

The remainder of the fleet were used on flows of gypsum for which covered containers were built, a model also produced by Accurascale.

Five new containers

Six new triple packs of the PFA have been announced for an autumn delivery, loaded with brand-new models of different LLNW containers including the distinctive ‘Dragon’ flask used to convey material between the decommissioned Winfrith ‘Dragon’ reactor in Dorset and Sellafield. Introduced from 2018, it is a contemporary load for the PFA which will match the Dapol DRS Class 68 model. It will be supplied in a triple pack with two wagons loaded with 20ft 2896-series containers.

The 2896-series container is the second of the five new toolings, a unique 8ft 9in tall box designed for low level waste. It is one of two 20ft containers which includes a similar type, the Series 2031 container, which is more like a conventional dry box except for slight differences in the ribbing which is the third of the five new loads. The 2031-series container was used to export reprocessed uranium from east coast ports and transported in longer rakes of PFAs including barrier wagons from around 2004. Three triple packs of PFAs loaded with individually numbered series-2031 containers are included in the third run.

Nupak containers designed to carry drums of material were introduced in the late 1990s and were regularly carried on PFA wagons hauled by a variety of traction including DRS Class 20/3s (Bachmann) and Class 37/6 locomotives (forthcoming model from Accurascale). Each of the containers could be removed from the ISO container frame on which they were mounted.

The Nupak was replaced with a more up-to-date design in 2017: the Novapak Type B which offered better protection for the load. They too were mounted on an ISO container frame.

Q4 delivery date

With model design completed and samples due in a matter of weeks, a late autumn delivery of the six packs of wagons is expected. New runs of the PFA with coal containers is also indicated for late 2021. Each of the packs contains three uniquely numbered PFA wagons loaded with correctly numbered and coloured LLNW containers for £74.95. Preordering is recommended because unique wagon and load combinations of this type usually sell well. www.accurascale.co.uk.

The hugely popular Accurascale ‘OO’ gauge PFA wagon with its cast metal frame is being reissued later this year with a variety of special LLNW containers, including the unusual-looking ‘Dragon’ container.

Formation of the six wagon packs with LLNW containers making up the third run of the popular PFA container wagon.

A Series-2031 20ft container, similar in design to maritime containers operated by DRS/BNFL from around 2004 to export reprocessed uranium, is included in the rerun. Three of the wagon packs (Nos. 4, 5 and 6) are supplied loaded with Series-2031 containers finished in red bauxite livery.

‘Nupak’ containers as used from around 2017, available in pack No. 3 loaded on two wagons, with the third carrying a Series-2896 container.

‘Novapak’ containers for LLNW loaded on an ISO container frame will be available fitted on two PFAs, alongside a third PFA with a Series-2896 container in pack No.2.