First new Network Rail JNAs arrive

The infrastructure operator is leasing a fleet of box wagons from Wascosa.

Network Rail is updating and repurposing its bulk ballast fleet. The infrastructure operator’s existing

IOA boxes will be supplemented by a large number of reconfigured MRAs (see Headline News, p17) as well as by a fleet of new JNA wagons that have been leased from Wascosa, with maintenance to be handled by GBRf. The first 25 examples of the latter, Nos. 81 70 5932 151-175 GB-WASCO (numbered after the GBRf ‘Megaboxes’ currently under construction at WH Davis), arrived in the UK in the second week of November, the bright yellow boxes being delivered to Eastleigh East

Yard on the 11th by No. 66751 working a 6Z93 04.47 from Dollands Moor via Tonbridge West Yard. These were constructed by Drobeta Turnu Severin in Romania, and take the fleet of JNA/ MMAs (UIC code Ealnos) in the country to just over 900, with 25 wagons outstanding.

Since arriving at Eastleigh on November 11, Network Rail’s new JNA boxes have been stored at East Yard. Wearing its lessor’s branding prominently with a small NR sticker, No. 81 70 5932 172-6 GB-WASCO awaits its entry into service – note also the small Swiss flag on the end plate. It was photographed on the 16th of the same month. David Warwick