Revolution Trains has received samples of its forthcoming N gauge IWA/Sfins2 vans and IWA/Rfnoos timber carriers. These wagons are being checked for any mould flaws or running issues before being approved to move to the decorated sample stage.
200 of these vehicles were built in the 1980s by Waggon Union of Germany for cross channel ferry traffic, and internal Anglo-Scottish fertilisers.
They carried Norsk Hydro or Cargowaggon liveries, or were left in unbranded silver. Over the years they were also used for steel, bagged clay, mineral water and newsprint and they are channel tunnel certified. Around two dozen remain in active service currently on aluminium traffic between northwest England and Germany.
In 2006 around 40 were converted to timber carriers, with the removal of the roofs and sliding equipment, and replacement with side stakes. Delivered with eight large twin side stakes, subsequently additional narrow stakes have been fitted to many.
They are used to take logs from Scotland, north and south west England and south Wales to the large Kronospan plant at Chirk. They often run with other timber conversions, including those originally Rover cube wagons as offered as a kit by the N Gauge Society.