DB Cargo UK, who is a Rail Freight Operator in the UK, has introduced a converted HTA Coal Hopper for use on the UK Railways.

The rail freight operator has been working with Axiom Rail and WH Davis. The plan is to convert 110 HTA Coal Hoppers into a new state of the art HRA aggregate hopper wagos.

During the conversion, one of the coal hoppers is removed. This reduces the length of the wagon by 20%. Though, despite this, the wagon can still carry the same weight at 101.6 tonnes.

The conversion means more wagons can be tranpsported on one train. This also increases the potential payload of the train 447 tonnes for the same length of train.

The conversions are being carried out at Axiom Rail in Stoke and WH Davis in Mansfield. This is following the successful trial of wagon 41 70 6723001-7. The prototype ran in full service carrying loads from the Peak Forest to Salford Hope Street.

DB Cargo UK plans to have all HTA coal hoppers converted and in service by September 2018.

What did the officials from DB Cargo UK say?

Jonathan Lowden, Head of Rolling Stock at DB Cargo UK said “As we all know, the demand for coal transportation has decreased significantly in recent years and DB Cargo UK had a large fleet of HTA coal hopper wagons. To find a future use for our assets in an alternative market, our production team at DB Cargo UK worked in collaboration with Axiom Rail and WH Davis to find a solution to convert these wagons to class leading aggregate hoppers.

He added “We are extremely proud of the outcome. The new HRA aggregate wagons will be used up and down the country to transport aggregates on behalf of our customers. They provide an efficient solution too by increasing the tonnage of product moved per train.”

• Visit the DB Cargo UK Website
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