Revolution Trains RT-OO-KSA-203B

KSA Timber Carriers No. 33 70 4739 067-5 and 078-2 - 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 Timber Carriers No. 33 70 4739 067‑5 and 078‑2 – Twin Pack are modelled on the former KSA‑A “Cube” wagons built by Rautaruukki of Finland for Rover Cars in 1995. One hundred were produced for the purpose of moving pre‑formed car parts and sub‑assemblies securely between Rover plants such as Swindon and Longbridge. The wagons 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 originally hauled in pairs by RfD Class 47 locomotives, and after privatisation by EWS Class 66s, with occasional use of Class 56 and Class 60 units.

In 2001 WH Malcolm purchased several of the KSA wagons for secure Anglo‑Scottish freight on the West Coast Main Line; two were repainted in Malcolm’s Logistics livery. Traction for these trains was supplied by DRS, using either Class 66 locomotives or pairs of Class 37s, with the KSA wagons typically marshalled directly behind the locomotive and the remainder of the train formed of Megafret container wagons.

In 2012 the wagon‑leasing firm NACCO acquired a number of redundant KSA wagons and converted them into timber carriers. The timber wagons now operate alongside other van conversions, such as the IWA timber carrier wagons previously offered by Revolution Trains. They are employed on services to and from Chirk, and have most recently been trialled on a new traffic route from Aberystwyth.