The FQX, built by Victorian Railways, was introduced into service from 1969. A total of 435 wagons were built, coded 501 onwards. Both South Australian railways and NSW built wagons, utilising the same design. SDS Models a/ready produce the OCY, and Steam Era models produces a kit for the FQX, which when made straight out of the packet, produces the VR FQX/VQCX. A little work will turn this model into the SAR FQX/AQCX. The SAR built 120 units, and were allocated the numbers 1 to 500.
Two units, VQCX 607 and 657 were repainted in V/Line freight orange and grey, before the sale to freight Australia.
http://www.pjv101.net/fts/u01/af183.jpg
When National Rail was established, they wanted a light weight high speed container flat, resulting in them taking many of the SAR and VR versions, which were recoded to RQCX/Y. There are still many of these wagons operating, usually in road grime colour (the odd one been repainted). These retained their running numbers.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malleeroute/6689872593/sizes/l/in/photostream/
To produce a SAR FQX/AQCX, you have to remove the chain compartment furthest from the brake equipment: this were the brake wheel now goes. If wanting to undertake a full conversion, refer to AMRM Nov/Dec 1979.
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| AQCX modified from FQX |
Further, some were modified, by having holes cut in their decks to reduce weight further, and were fitted with 70ton ride control bogies. These are coded RQTY.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malleeroute/6851221883/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.pjv101.net/fts/u01/cy064.jpg
From Wagonfreak:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMhdn0uD3cUjDUEWBX1XR440RENxzDcRFzKMqMs9W8uRmRuEG8nok6KGG4Gz0RZJAyurcEXHy8OhnjWebOHoneRWuOEfXbT2l_doOpWDRFQB5XesUZ40IkVaoBag1NHD2PVS7bHSQZmw/s1600/d-RQTY+%28Large%29.jpg
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| RQTY modified from FQX. |
Further still, some were fitted with a polar pack power unit, for powering reefer containers, these are coded RRTY. Most are still in service, without the polar pack, but the gap in the side of the wagon remains.
The best quality of the Steam Era kit, is that the plastic used is soft enough, so you can cut holes in the deck with little effort. If wanting to run the wagon fully loaded, then you can get away with not doing any deck work, but the sides need to be replaced with 0.04x.010 Evergreen strip. (One could file off the lashing rings from the SEM parts). 70 ton ride control bogies are available as a spare part from Auscision Models. If mounted straight to the body, the wagon will ride too high, some have to file down about 0.5mm.
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| Image: Auscision Models 70 ton ride control bogie. |
These wagons are also in service with SCT, coded PQCY and painted bright red, (with end frames, for carring bulky loads, such as dressed timber) and QRNational/Auzuron, coded
QQGY and
QQTY, painted light grey. Both these types of wagons are un-modified VR FQX wagons.
Remember, the Steam Era kit does not have a correct underside. The additional parts to the girder frames can be added with some 0.01 thick strip. I used 0.08 wide. See below photo.
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| VQCX Underside. |
Using the Steam Era kit, you can added to any Intermodal train. Now for a serious RTR model. (Not the failed Powerline model).
