OO gauge Autoballaster announced
Date: 31 January 2008
Source: Bachmann
Bachmann Europe PLC is to produce an OO scale Autoballaster wagon as part of its expanding Branchline range.
Designated Mark 2, 10 JJA wagons were converted from 90 Tonne hopper wagons in 1995 by Tiphook Rail for Railtrack. The converted wagons were fitted with radio controlled, air-powered discharge doors, allowing ballast to be dropped on the move during engineering work possessions. The design was further refined with lighting, air and power supplies added. A further 90 wagons were converted for Railtrack and a further 4 for GE Rail to be used as demonstrators. All 104 wagons are now in use with Network Rail, which replaced Railtrack in 2002 after it went in liquidation.
A further 190 new wagons were ordered by Railtrack and delivered by Wabtec Rail, which run in permanently coupled 5 car sets. A further 50 followed in 2003 for Network Rail and 10 were delivered to GBRf in 2006 for use on the Metronet infrastructure contracts for Transport for London.
Two different vehicles are provided, the outer vehicles in each rake are fitted with generator equipment. Inside these will be found standard JJA wagons without generators.
In OO gauge, the Generator ‘outer’ vehicle (38-212) and the ‘inner’ wagon (38-211) will both have a recommended retail price of £26.50.
BE 2008-11
