Motoring Discussion > Plain blue wagons: for cars?	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: WillDeBeest	Replies: 16

New Tue 8 May 12 13:49   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - WillDeBeest

On the railway at Didcot yesterday I saw a train composed of unmarked blue wagons, with what appeared to be a full-width corridor. I've noticed such trains before and wondered what they were for, but yesterday Beestling Major suggested they might be for cars. Not a bad shout, I thought, given the lengths some higher-end makers are going to to protect their products in transit. Anyone here got any more definite information? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 13:53   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Focusless

>> Anyone here got any more definite information? Not definite info, but I travel through Didcot 3 times a week and see cars on open trucks around there reasonably regularly. I've seen the ones you mention as well, and cars would be my guess too. BTW always seem to be a lot higher than average concentration of posh cars in the Didcot car park - at least one Skyline and assorted Porches, Maseratis etc. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 14:18   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Bromptonaut

Used to see Ford and Peugeot products moving on open or semi-open trucks on the West Coast Line. Not noticed recently but there are usually vehicles similar to those described by WdeB and Focus 'laid over' in Willesden yard. Some are marked in ways that suggest they operate through the tunnel to Europe. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 14:19   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Zero

Depends on the carrier (there are a few rail transport companies) Look here at one of my videos for one type (at the end - its a train load of Evokes) www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7hZesXUdrc Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 14:22   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Focusless

>> Look here at one of my videos for one type (at the end - its >> a train load of Evokes) The trucks I'm thinking of have solid sides - haven't been able to find any pictures on web yet. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 14:25   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Focusless

These are them: see 14:30 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdwaywhc4hI Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 14:54   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - devonite

Cant see them being cars really, as each "Coach" only has Container-like doors on the ends! - unless they are side-loaded? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 15:10   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Focusless

>> Cant see them being cars really, as each "Coach" only has Container-like doors on the >> ends! - unless they are side-loaded? Looking at 17:16, can't the doors be opened 2 ways, the wider option being enough to get a car through? Although I suspect you're right. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 15:21   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - crocks

That's spooky, Focus. I've got your You-tube video paused at exactly 17.16 looking at the same thing. That has convinced me they are for cars. Wide end opening, no side access, shared bogies so not too heavy loads and very long. What else could you put in there? Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 15:34   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - crocks

Found some photos of model versions here. www.cjmmodels.co.uk/V2-Products/CJM_Class_arbel.htm Looks like they are car transporters. Reply to this message | Report message       1

New Tue 8 May 12 15:41   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - crocks

Also found this on one model website. "The wagons were built by Arbel Fauvet in France for Railfreight Distribution and introduced in 1993. They feature two decks inside and are fully enclosed to protect the vehicles being carried. Originally intended for Channel Tunnel traffic, they are now used on a variety of automotive flows both within the UK and from Britain to the Continent. At various times they have seen service from Cowley, Longbridge, Dagenham and many are currently in use carrying Jaguars from Halewood on Merseyside to the Continent. The wagons can be seen in trains of up to seven units, however they have been used singly on Enterprise or Connectrail services. Haulage is usually EWS Class 66 or 60, though recently Class 37's have been spotted through Stoke with trains of WIA's." Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 15:43   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Focusless

Good work Crocks. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 15:44   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - crocks

And the website also had a photo of the real thing. www.jthjth.plus.com/freight/ATM%20WIA%20car%20carrying%20wagon.pdf Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 16:31   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - Zero

you load them at the end of the train and drive them through. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 17:07   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - WillDeBeest

Them's the ones, Crocks. Well done! This means I'll have to put away my colourful theories of toxic waste and mobile government bunkers. The truth can be so dull. }:---( Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 17:31   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - crocks

....Or maybe they have been very successful with the cover story. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 8 May 12 22:16   Plain blue wagons: for cars? - devonite

G.M Cucumbers! ;-) Reply to this message | Report message