Revolution Trains RT-OO-KSA-201D

KSA ‘Rover Cube’ Wagons Original Maroon & Grey Livery No. 33 70 4739 063-4 and 075-8 - 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 – Original Maroon & Grey Livery, numbers 33, 70, 4739, 063‑4 and 075‑8 (twin pack). Manufacturer part number RT‑OO‑KSA‑201D. The model represents the rebuilding of the railways period.

In 1995 Rautaruukki of Finland built one hundred large vans for Rover Cars, coded KSA‑A under TOPS and nicknamed ‘Cube’ wagons. They featured full‑length sliding covers and floors that could be raised or lowered to aid unloading while conforming to the restrictive British loading gauge. The wagons moved pre‑formed car parts and sub‑assemblies between Swindon, Longbridge and other Rover sites, normally hauled in pairs by RfD Class 47s; after privatisation they were commonly hauled by EWS Class 66s, and occasionally by Class 56s and 60s.

In 2001 WH Malcolm purchased several KSAs for secure Anglo‑Scottish freight on the West Coast Main Line, repainting two into Malcolm’s Logistics livery. Traction was supplied by DRS using Class 66s or pairs of Class 37s, with the KSA wagons usually marshalled directly behind the locomotive and followed by Megafret container wagons.

In 2012 the wagon leasing firm NACCO acquired a number of redundant KSAs and converted them into timber carriers. These timber wagons operate alongside other van conversions such as the IWA timber carriers previously offered by Revolution Trains, and are used on services to and from Chirk, most recently on a trial service from Aberystwyth.