HRA hopper goes green to promote DBC’s new advertising campaign

Following the repainting by DB Cargo of HVO-powered No. 66004 in an attractive green ‘I am a climate hero’ livery, HRA (UIC code Fabnooss) hopper No. 41 70 6723 066-0 has also been released from the Toton paintshop in all-over green, albeit not quite the same shade as the Class 66, complete with repainted black underframe. Previously HTA coal wagon No. 310949, the ‘cut and shut’ aggregate hopper – which was rebuilt by WH Davis in 2018 – has also gained large billboardstyle ‘Freight belongs on rail’ branding.

The HRA, along with No. 66004, were dispatched south on October 20 on an early morning trip (scheduled 03.26 departure) from Toton North Yard to DBC’s upgraded £7 million rail freight terminal in Cricklewood for the ‘Freight belongs on rail’ campaign launch to industry stakeholders. (See Headline News p.13)

The upgraded site serves

HS2 construction and Brent Cross regeneration and is designed to process the import/export of 1.5 million tonnes of aggregates and construction spoil annually. After the event the green duo returned north on a 6Z69 12.58 back to Toton.

Richard Gennis Touax branded HYAs, as featured in the September issue, are now entering service. No. 37 70 6791 017-6, one of 10 new hopper wagons waiting to go into traffic at Wellingborough Yard, is seen there on October 22.

Pictured next to No. 66004 at DBC UK’s recently upgraded Cricklewood aggregate terminal on October 20, HRA hopper No. 41 70 6723 066-0 makes an important statement, albeit one that has yet to be fully embraced by policy makers. DB Cargo UK