Revolution Trains RT-OO-KSA-201B

KSA ‘Rover Cube’ Wagons Original Maroon & Grey Livery No. 33 70 4739 023-8 and 031-1 - Twin Pack

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Era
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways

Manufacturer description

100 of these large vans were built for Rover Cars by Rautaruukki of Finland in 1995 to convey preformed car parts and completed sub-assemblies securely between plants. Coded KSA-A under TOPS, and nicknamed 'Cube' wagons, they incorporated full-length sliding covers as well as floors that could be raised and lowered to simplify unloading while optimising use of the restrictive British loading gauge. They were used between Swindon, Longbridge and other Rover plants. They were hauled by pairs of RfD Class 47s; after privatisation EWS class 66s, and occasionally 56s and 60s, were used.

In 2001 WH Malcolm acquired several KSAs for secure transportation of Anglo-Scottish freight on the WCML and two were repainted into Malcolm's Logistics livery. Traction for these trains was provided by DRS (Class 66 or pairs of Class 37s) and the KSA wagons were marshalled together, often immediately behind the locomotive. The rest of the train usually comprised Megafret container wagons.

In 2012 several redundant KSA wagons were acquired by the wagon leasing company NACCO and converted to timber carriers. The timber wagons are used with other van conversions including the IWA timber carrier wagons previously offered by Revolution Trains. They are used on trains to and from Chirk, most recently on a newly trialled traffic from Aberystwyth.

Catalogue listing

Revolution Trains KSA ‘Rover Cube’ wagons are offered in the original maroon and grey livery, catalogue numbers 33, 70, 4739, 023‑8 and 031‑1, sold as a twin pack. The manufacturer part number is RT‑OO‑KSA‑201B and the model represents the rebuilding era of the British railways.

In 1995 Rautaruukki of Finland produced a batch of one hundred large vans for Rover Cars, coded KSA‑A under TOPS and nicknamed ‘Cube’ wagons. The design featured full‑length sliding covers and adjustable floors that could be raised or lowered to aid unloading while respecting the restrictive British loading gauge. They were used to move pre‑formed car parts and sub‑assemblies between Swindon, Longbridge and other Rover sites, normally hauled in pairs by RfD Class 47 locomotives, later by EWS Class 66s and occasionally by Class 56 or Class 60 units.

From 01/01/2001 WH Malcolm acquired several KSA wagons for secure Anglo‑Scottish freight on the West Coast Main Line, repainted two into Malcolm’s Logistics livery and powered the trains with DRS Class 66s or paired Class 37s. The wagons were typically marshalled directly behind the locomotive, with the remainder of the train consisting of Megafret container wagons.

In 2012 the wagon leasing company NACCO bought a number of redundant KSA units and converted them into timber carriers. These timber wagons are now operated alongside other van conversions, such as the IWA timber carriers previously offered by Revolution Trains, on services to and from Chirk and on a trial service from Aberystwyth.