Wagon News
Wascosa MLAS arrive
The penultimate day of 2021 saw the first batch of Wascosa-owned MLA ballast open wagons arrive in the UK, these following on from the now completed batch of 50 new JNA bulk ballast boxes. Again finished in Network Rail yellow with large Wascosa lettering, these Greenbrier Europe-built MLAS are mostly identical to previous batches and will be deployed on possession work. With 260 examples on order, they will largely replace the remaining out-of-favour two-axle MFA, MHA, and MPA types, known collectively as ‘Coalfish’. Running as the 6Z66 04.22 Dollands Moor to Eastleigh Yard, 66766 had charge of 81 70 5932 201-230. A similar move on January 11 saw 66765 atop 81 70 5932 231-250.
More JGAS for Tarmac
The delivery of a new batch of JGA bogie cement presflos for Tarmac commenced on December 29, when 66784 powered the 6B32 12.36 Dollands Moor-wembley Yard. Owned by Ermewa, this working featured 81 70 7829 031-041, all of which are finished in light grey with blue Tarmac logos. Their introduction is expected to allow the withdrawal of further two-axle PCAS, with a further 12 wagons still to reach the UK.
‘Megaboxes’ delivered
The first batch of newly-constructed JNA ‘Megaboxes’ was finally released from WH Davis’ Shirebrook workshops on December 21. A total of 46 are to be provided to Beacon Rail and leased by GB Railfreight, being finished in dark blue with orange GBRF lettering. All have been built using bogies, drawgear and brake equipment recovered from scrapped HHA hoppers, with the first working featuring 81 70 5932 105-17/21-25. These were taken to Doncaster Decoy by 66778. GB Railfreight received more new wagons from WH Davis the following day, with a further batch of FWA ‘Ecofret’ intermodal triple-sets departing, these also heading to Doncaster behind 66709. In tow were 83 70 4520 322, 83 70 4521 097 and 83 70 4520 323, followed by 318+095+319, 320+096+321 and 310+091+311. Earlier, the GM had arrived at Shirebrook with HYA 371076 and IIAS 37 70 6791 028-3 and 37 70 6791 037-4, these being further bogie hoppers for shortening.
Snowplough testing
The annual testing of Network Rail’s snowplough fleet saw two sets of ZZAS given a shakedown before Christmas. On December 18, 66421 and 66426 arrived at Taunton Fairwater to take ADB965223 and ADB965235 on a spin to Weston-super-mare and back, while five days later it was the turn of Norwich-based ADB965208 and ADB965219. With 37069 and 37425 sandwiched in between, the 7Z98 11.51 working ventured to Lowestoft and back.
Stoke departures
Further converted BYA steel carriers have emerged from DB’S Stoke wagon works in recent weeks. On December 17, 6685 was provided to take 966004 and 966171 to Warrington Arpley, also featuring newly repaired MLAS 503526/61/72 and MXA 950185. 966040, made the same journey behind 66050 on January 7, also featuring WIA cartic 85 70 4971 036-4.