Category: PFA

Revolution Trains has received samples of its forthcoming PFA container wagons with open-top coal or half-height nuclear fuel containers.

The models feature a diecast chassis to give enough weight, even when running empty, and lots of separately fitted details.

The wagons were built in 1986 to carry containerised coal from collieries in the UK to Ireland, with the coal tranported in bright yellow “Cawoods” liveried open-top containers. In the mid-1990s the operation was taken on by British Fuels, and the containers repainted red.

In the 2000s several of the wagons were acquired by DRS and used to convey low level waste or as runners for other flask wagons. The coal containers had been designed for the wagons, and had cut-outs on the underside to clear the wheel flanges, however because the DRS containers did not have these the wagons were fitted with ISO-compatible frames to ensure the containers were clear of the wheels. Our models will replicate this feature with a removable photo-etched part.

Once these models have been tested then decorated approval samples will be prepared, and the models will go into production. We are expecting to close the order book early in 2021, with the models likely to be shipped in summer 2021. Order now to take advantage of our low pre-production price.

Revolution Trains has received preliminary CAD drawings of our forthcoming PFA container flats from Accurascale.

The models are available to order loaded with either Cawoods yellow containers, British Fuels red, BNFL half-height low-level waste containers or in DRS black but unloaded for use as runners. Note that the placard on the container shown in the CAD will be removed, as it is not correct for the Cawoods type, being added for those containers in use with CPL distribution which at this time we are not producing and the “pips” on the top corners of the containers will also be taken off.

Because many modellers will want to run their wagons unloaded, the entire deck component (white in the CAD) will be in diecast metal to ensure there is enough low-down weight in the model for good running.

Beneath the wagon is all the detail you’ve come to expect from Revolution Trains, and the couplers are in pivoting NEM pockets, however the low deck and axle positions mean there is not enough room for a kinematic mechanism.

We have requested a few very minor tweaks to the CAD images, and we are still waiting for the diagram of the low level nuclear waste container, but once this is all signed off we will be ready to ask Accurascale to proceed to tooling.

You can order your PFA container wagons here

Revolution is offering the PFA 4-wheel container flat to accompany the forthcoming KUA bogie flask wagon and further develop its successful relationship with Accurascale.

The wagons were built by Standard Wagon Co. in 1987 to carry containerised coal traffic for Cawoods Ltd from collieries across Britain to dockside terminals for onward shipping to Ireland.

Open coal containers were also used by British Fuels and CPL, with the wagons, and some were also pressed into service on trains for British Gypsum, carrying their distinctive blue containers.

In the early part of this century a batch were acquired by DRS who still use them as runner wagons and for the transportation of containerised nuclear waste, particularly in distinctive half-height 20′ containers.

The Revolution model will feature our usual refinements and we are expecting to open the order book in 2020.

We are also exploring the possibility of offering the wagons with coal, gypsum and nuclear containers and also offering these items as separate accessories.