Covered goods wagon
Encyclopedia
A covered goods wagon or van (US: boxcar
) is a railway goods wagon
which is designed for the transportation of moisture-susceptible goods and therefore fully enclosed by sides and a fixed roof. They are often referred to simply as covered wagons, and this is the term used by the International Union of Railways
(UIC). Since the introduction of the international classification for goods wagons
by the UIC in the 1960s a distinction has been drawn between ordinary and special covered wagons. Other types of wagon, such as refrigerated van
s and wagons with opening roofs,are closely related to covered wagons from a design point of view.
Covered goods wagons for transporting part-load or parcel goods are almost as old as the railway itself. Because part-load goods were the most common freight in the early days of the railway, the covered van was then the most important type of goods wagon and, for example, comprised about 40% of the German railways goods fleet until the 1960s. Since then however the open wagon
and flat wagon have become more common. By contrast the covered goods wagon still forms the majority of two-axled wagons in countries like Germany, because the comparatively light freight does not routinely require the use of bogie
wagons.
The formerly widespread ordinary covered wagon with side doors (see below) was almost fully displaced in the third quarter of the 20th century by special covered wagons with sliding walls (see below) which can be rapidly loaded and unloaded with palletised goods
using fork-lift trucks.
in the 19th century procured wagons to their own requirements. However, after the nationalisation of the majority of private railways into the state railway (the Länderbahnen
) designs were standardised and the Länderbahn classes emerged.
The growth in trade between the various German-speaking states led to attempts to standardise their vehicle fleets. Initially wagons were produced to the same dimensions and, in 1910, the German State Railway Wagon Association
(Deutsche Staatsbahnwagenverband) was formed. They developed standard goods wagon designs, the so-called Verbandsbauart
wagons, that were procured in large numbers by the German state railways and other private and foreign railways well into the 1920s. For covered wagons there was the Class A2 wagon with a 15 t maximum load and 21.3 m² loading area built to a standard template
, and the large-volume covered wagon based on template A9, also with a 15 t maximum load, but a 28.8 m² loading area.
In the 1920s, wagons with interchangeable parts, the Austauschbauart
wagons, were developed for the Deutsche Reichsbahn
(DRG). They had similar overall dimensions, but were clearly built to a different design from their forebears. Once again there was a covered wagon with 21.3 m² loading area, classed as the Gr Kassel and a large-volume wagon with 29.4 m² loading area, called the Gl Dresden. In addition, the Austauschbau series saw two new wagon classes being developed. The Glt Dresden was largely similar in design to the "standard" Gl Dresden, but had end doors. These vans were bought to provide sheltered transport for motor vehicles. A second, newer type of wagon was the ferry wagon developed during the 1920s for rail ferry services to Great Britain
. This wagon had the same length over buffers as the Gl Dresden, but a loading area of only 22.4 m², because of its narrower wagon body constrained by the smaller loading gauge
of British railways. This was designated as the Gfh Trier.
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The next significant change was the introduction in the 1930s of welding
into the construction of railway vehicles. The designs of the Austauschbauwagen were reworked to take advantage of welding technology. As a result, a successor to the Gr Kassel emerged: the Ghs Oppeln with a 21.2 m² loading area. The designs of the Gl Dresden and Glt Dresden were also reworked whilst retaining the same loading area of 29.4 m² (Glrhs). The Gfh Trier was also redesigned, but due to low demand this was not ready until 1940, and no more were built owing to the Second World War.
The next stage of development was forced as a result of the Second World War. In order to save material and labour, railway vehicle designs were simplified. As covered wagons the Gmhs Bremen appeared as a successor to the Ghs Oppeln, and the Glmhs Leipzig followed the Gl Dresden. These so-called wartime classes (Kriegsbauart
) were also welded, and had loading areas of 23.6 m² and 29.1 m² respectively. More robust variants of these wagon classes were procured after the war by the Deutsche Bundesbahn
and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).
developed a standard design for covered goods wagons. This has 8 ventilation hatches and is therefore suitable for the transportation of cattle. Since then, European railways have procured covered wagons which at least match the main dimensions of this standard, but otherwise have minor variations. For example, there are wagons with different axle bases or a different number of ventilation hatches. The body is of a mainly wood and steel compound construction. Refrigerated van
s were also developed, based on the long, twin-axled types (Gbs and Hbfs).
The following table contains details of the UIC ordinary covered wagon according to Behrends because this is the single available source with systematic specifications. Other sources may differ in some respects from this ; in particular the door height has not been clarified beyond doubt. It is also unclear to what extent the present-day, twin-axled, sliding wall wagons were standardised.
The transportation of part-load goods that are susceptible to the weather in boxes, sacks and barrels is the main function of G class wagons. One disadvantage they have is that the single side door does not facilitate rapid loading and unloading of large unit loads. The demand for G wagons fell with the increasing use of intermodal freight transport
. Today the majority of part-load goods are moved in ISO containers, for which special flat wagons are available. Where there is a requirement for the direct loading of part-load goods, wagons with sliding sides are preferred (see below), because they enable a faster transfer of pallet
s.
G wagons were also frequently filled with bulk materials that were vulnerable to the weather. Special wall attachments were developed, especially for the transportation of grain
, with which the side doors could be closed. Today there are self-discharging wagons with opening roofs available for this type of freight that are quicker to load and unload.
G wagons were often attached to passenger trains in order to transport express goods and post
. Special variants were sometimes used that, for example, were fitted with suitable braking equipment or heating pipes.
G wagons were also used frequently for the transportation of cattle
. This required good ventilation
, which is why wagons were initially fitted with four, later eight, ventilation openings.
See also: DRG Glrhs
in the 1960s, but were classed as special wagons due to certain special features and retired almost completely by the end of the 20th century.
Whilst ordinary open or covered goods wagons were used for the transportation of cattle
and other large animals, special livestock wagons were being developed for small livestock as early as the 19th century. Optimal use of the roughly 2 metre high loading volume was made by loading domestic pigs
, goats and sheep on two levels. Some wagons could have intermediate floors fitted for transporting poultry
.
The design was closely based on contemporary covered wagons. Externally the most noticeable feature of these mainly twin-axled livestock vans were the slatted sides guaranteeing good ventilation. Dividing walls on many types of livestock van enabled a vertical division of the loading space. In the side walls there were feeding and air flaps, the number of which corresponded to the number of compartments.
Livestock vans were built for the German state railways
in state classes
, Verbandsbauart
and Austauschbauart
types. After the Second World War the majority of the remaining ones were considerably rebuilt by the DB
. Today there are no livestock vans left in service, because animals can be transported at higher speed and with greater flexibility by road.
Variants of the covered goods wagon were also built with end doors from the 1920s to the 1960s. These were, in particular, the Austauschbauart Dresden class wagons, the Kriegsbauart
four-axled wagons of the Bromberg class and their successors in the DR as well as a batch of 600 Umbauwagen for the DB
.
The original role of these vehicles was the transport of new, mostly open-topped cars. But by the end of the 20th century there was no longer any significant demand for this type of wagon. However, one remaining sphere of work is, for example, the transportation of the elephants for Circus Knie
in special Hcks wagons belonging to the Swiss Federal Railways.
The Leig units were permanently coupled pairs of covered wagons that appeared in the ranks of the Deutsche Reichsbahn
from the 1920s, mainly from existing covered wagon stock.
Covered goods wagons designed for goods services to Great Britain
have to comply with the smaller loading gauge
in the United Kingdom and therefore had less loading volume than the equivalent wagon for services on continental Europe. The wagons with individual sliding doors have also been replaced by modern sliding wall wagons. In Germany these vehicles were formerly designated as ferry wagons (Fährbootwagen).
The present-day standard wagon for moisture-susceptible pallet
ised goods has sliding sides rather than fixed side walls, which enables access to the entire loading area for loading and unloading. These wagons with sliding walls or sides did not evolve from the original covered wagon, but were derived in the 1950s from wagons with sliding roofs and sides, which is why they used to be grouped in Class K.
The DB
has over 15,000 sliding roof wagons. Wagons built up to the early 1980s have a loading area of 34.1 m² without partitions and can take a maximum of 30 Europool pallets (code letter b). On the more recent types were the dimensions were optimised: on 41.0 m² of loading area (without partitions) up to 40 Europool pallets can be carried (Code letter bb).
In addition to making best use of the loading area there has been a trend towards large-volume wagons, which make maximum use of the available loading gauge
. However they need to take account of the fact that in many countries the permitted loading gauge varies and this reduces the interoperability
of this vehicle. The wagons cleared for use in Great Britain have a very small loading gauge and are distinguished bo the code letters f, ff or fff. Other countries with small loading gauges include Switzerland, something which needs to be borne in mind for trains transiting the country e.g. between Germany and Italy.
Sliding wall wagons are often fitted with partitions that prevent the goods sliding back and forth in the wagon (code letter l) and some are lockable (code letter ll). This is particularly useful if the wagon is not fully laden. However the use of partitions reduces the available loading area.
Construction of the traditional small vans ceased in 1962 due to declining traffic and a surplus of wagons. When construction of general merchandise vans resumed around 1970, these were the air-braked VAA/VBA/VCA/VDA family of 20' 9" wheelbase vans. The last mass produced merchandise vans built for British Rail were the 29' 6" wheelbase VGA class sliding-wall vans of the early 1980s. Subsequent vans used in the UK have mostly been large (usually bogie) sliding-wall vans of continental design.
Boxcar
A boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads...
) is a railway goods wagon
Goods wagon
Goods wagons are railway wagons that are used for the transportation of goods .- Development :At the beginning of the railway era, the vast majority of goods wagons were four-wheeled vehicles of simple construction. These were almost exclusively small covered wagons, open wagons with side-boards,...
which is designed for the transportation of moisture-susceptible goods and therefore fully enclosed by sides and a fixed roof. They are often referred to simply as covered wagons, and this is the term used by the International Union of Railways
International Union of Railways
The UIC , or International Union of Railways, is an international rail transport industry body.- Brief history :The railways of Europe originated as separate concerns. There were many border changes after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Colonial railways were the responsibility of the...
(UIC). Since the introduction of the international classification for goods wagons
UIC classification of goods wagons
This list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
by the UIC in the 1960s a distinction has been drawn between ordinary and special covered wagons. Other types of wagon, such as refrigerated van
Refrigerated van
A refrigerated van is a railway goods wagon with cooling equipment. Today they are designated by the International Union of Railways as Class I.-History:...
s and wagons with opening roofs,are closely related to covered wagons from a design point of view.
Open wagon
Open wagons form a large group of railway goods wagons designed primarily for the transportation of bulk goods that are not moisture-retentive and can usually be tipped, dumped or shovelled. The International Union of Railways distinguishes between ordinary wagons and special wagons...
and flat wagon have become more common. By contrast the covered goods wagon still forms the majority of two-axled wagons in countries like Germany, because the comparatively light freight does not routinely require the use of bogie
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
wagons.
The formerly widespread ordinary covered wagon with side doors (see below) was almost fully displaced in the third quarter of the 20th century by special covered wagons with sliding walls (see below) which can be rapidly loaded and unloaded with palletised goods
Pallet
A pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
using fork-lift trucks.
Development of the covered wagon in Germany
To begin with the largely privately-owned railway companies within the German EmpireGerman Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
in the 19th century procured wagons to their own requirements. However, after the nationalisation of the majority of private railways into the state railway (the Länderbahnen
Länderbahnen
The German term Länderbahnen generally refers to the state railways of the German Empire in the period from about 1840 to 1920 when they were merged into the Deutsche Reichsbahn after the First World War....
) designs were standardised and the Länderbahn classes emerged.
The growth in trade between the various German-speaking states led to attempts to standardise their vehicle fleets. Initially wagons were produced to the same dimensions and, in 1910, the German State Railway Wagon Association
German State Railway Wagon Association
The German State Railway Wagon Association was an association of the German state railways Länderbahnen founded in 1909. The purpose of the association was to guarantee the unrestricted exchange of goods wagons between the member railway administrations...
(Deutsche Staatsbahnwagenverband) was formed. They developed standard goods wagon designs, the so-called Verbandsbauart
Verbandsbauart
The German term Verbandsbauart describes both a type of goods wagon as well as a type of tram.In order to standardise the goods wagons classes of the various German state railways , the German State Railway Wagon Association issued regulations...
wagons, that were procured in large numbers by the German state railways and other private and foreign railways well into the 1920s. For covered wagons there was the Class A2 wagon with a 15 t maximum load and 21.3 m² loading area built to a standard template
German state railway norms
In German railway engineering, norms are standards for the design and production of railway vehicles.In the 1880s and 1890s, Prussian norms were developed for the locomotives, tenders and wagons of the Prussian state railways under the direction of the railway director responsible for railway...
, and the large-volume covered wagon based on template A9, also with a 15 t maximum load, but a 28.8 m² loading area.
In the 1920s, wagons with interchangeable parts, the Austauschbauart
Austauschbauart
The so-called Austauschbauart wagons were German railway vehicles produced from the late 1920s onwards which had common components built to agreed standards.-Origin of the concept:...
wagons, were developed for the Deutsche Reichsbahn
Deutsche Reichsbahn
Deutsche Reichsbahn was the name of the following two companies:* Deutsche Reichsbahn, the German Imperial Railways during the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich and the immediate aftermath...
(DRG). They had similar overall dimensions, but were clearly built to a different design from their forebears. Once again there was a covered wagon with 21.3 m² loading area, classed as the Gr Kassel and a large-volume wagon with 29.4 m² loading area, called the Gl Dresden. In addition, the Austauschbau series saw two new wagon classes being developed. The Glt Dresden was largely similar in design to the "standard" Gl Dresden, but had end doors. These vans were bought to provide sheltered transport for motor vehicles. A second, newer type of wagon was the ferry wagon developed during the 1920s for rail ferry services to Great Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. This wagon had the same length over buffers as the Gl Dresden, but a loading area of only 22.4 m², because of its narrower wagon body constrained by the smaller loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
of British railways. This was designated as the Gfh Trier.
Welding
Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes...
into the construction of railway vehicles. The designs of the Austauschbauwagen were reworked to take advantage of welding technology. As a result, a successor to the Gr Kassel emerged: the Ghs Oppeln with a 21.2 m² loading area. The designs of the Gl Dresden and Glt Dresden were also reworked whilst retaining the same loading area of 29.4 m² (Glrhs). The Gfh Trier was also redesigned, but due to low demand this was not ready until 1940, and no more were built owing to the Second World War.
The next stage of development was forced as a result of the Second World War. In order to save material and labour, railway vehicle designs were simplified. As covered wagons the Gmhs Bremen appeared as a successor to the Ghs Oppeln, and the Glmhs Leipzig followed the Gl Dresden. These so-called wartime classes (Kriegsbauart
Kriegsbauart
The German term Kriegsbauart refers to railway goods wagon classes that were developed during the Second World War for the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The start of the war was an arbitrary dividing line for the classification of goods wagons, and did not represent any technological change...
) were also welded, and had loading areas of 23.6 m² and 29.1 m² respectively. More robust variants of these wagon classes were procured after the war by the Deutsche Bundesbahn
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).
UIC ordinary covered wagons
During the 1950s the International Union of RailwaysInternational Union of Railways
The UIC , or International Union of Railways, is an international rail transport industry body.- Brief history :The railways of Europe originated as separate concerns. There were many border changes after World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Colonial railways were the responsibility of the...
developed a standard design for covered goods wagons. This has 8 ventilation hatches and is therefore suitable for the transportation of cattle. Since then, European railways have procured covered wagons which at least match the main dimensions of this standard, but otherwise have minor variations. For example, there are wagons with different axle bases or a different number of ventilation hatches. The body is of a mainly wood and steel compound construction. Refrigerated van
Refrigerated van
A refrigerated van is a railway goods wagon with cooling equipment. Today they are designated by the International Union of Railways as Class I.-History:...
s were also developed, based on the long, twin-axled types (Gbs and Hbfs).
The following table contains details of the UIC ordinary covered wagon according to Behrends because this is the single available source with systematic specifications. Other sources may differ in some respects from this ; in particular the door height has not been clarified beyond doubt. It is also unclear to what extent the present-day, twin-axled, sliding wall wagons were standardised.
| UIC 571-1: Ordinary class two axles |
UIC 571-2: Ordinary class four axles |
UIC 571-3: Special class |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Type 1 (long) |
Ferryboat wagon |
Type 2 (short) |
Type 1 (short) |
Type 2 (long) |
Wagon with- sliding sides four axles |
| Class UIC classification of goods wagons This list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters .... |
Gbs | Hbfs | Gs | Gas(s) | Gabs(s) | Habiss |
| Axle base | 8.00 m | 6.00 m | − | |||
| Bogie pivot pitch | − | 11.48 m | 16.66 m | |||
| Length over buffers | 14.02 m | 10.58 m | 16.52 m | 21.70 m | ||
| Loading length, min. | 12.70 m | 9.26 m | 15.20 m | 20.41 m | 2x8.67 m | |
| Loading area, ca. | 33 m² | 28 m² | 25 m² | 40 m² | 53 m² | 50 m² |
| Loading volume, ca. | 88 m³ | 63 m³ | 67 m³ | 105 m³ | 137 m³ | 131 m³ |
| Unladen weight, max. | 14.5 t | 12.5 t | 23.0 t | 29.0 t | ||
| Door height | 2.15 m | 2.00 m | 2.15 m | − | ||
| Door width | 2.50 m | 4.00 m | − | |||
Class G - Ordinary covered wagons
The UIC's ordinary covered wagon class has rigid, fixed walls with sliding doors on each side. The upper third of the side walls has closable openings of various types. These may be designed as ventilation openings, loading hatches or combined ventilation and loading hatches. Today, Class G wagons have been largely superseded by other classes.The transportation of part-load goods that are susceptible to the weather in boxes, sacks and barrels is the main function of G class wagons. One disadvantage they have is that the single side door does not facilitate rapid loading and unloading of large unit loads. The demand for G wagons fell with the increasing use of intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation , without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damages and...
. Today the majority of part-load goods are moved in ISO containers, for which special flat wagons are available. Where there is a requirement for the direct loading of part-load goods, wagons with sliding sides are preferred (see below), because they enable a faster transfer of pallet
Pallet
A pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
s.
G wagons were also frequently filled with bulk materials that were vulnerable to the weather. Special wall attachments were developed, especially for the transportation of grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
, with which the side doors could be closed. Today there are self-discharging wagons with opening roofs available for this type of freight that are quicker to load and unload.
G wagons were often attached to passenger trains in order to transport express goods and post
Mail
Mail, or post, is a system for transporting letters and other tangible objects: written documents, typically enclosed in envelopes, and also small packages are delivered to destinations around the world. Anything sent through the postal system is called mail or post.In principle, a postal service...
. Special variants were sometimes used that, for example, were fitted with suitable braking equipment or heating pipes.
G wagons were also used frequently for the transportation of cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
. This required good ventilation
Ventilation (architecture)
Ventilating is the process of "changing" or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality...
, which is why wagons were initially fitted with four, later eight, ventilation openings.
See also: DRG Glrhs
DRG Glrhs
The covered goods wagons of classes Glrhs Dresden and Gltrhs Dresden were first placed in service in Germany by the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft in 1937...
Older wagons grouped into class H
These wagons were based on the standard covered wagon but developed for special roles and were always built in smaller numbers. All types were still around for the introduction of the UIC classificationUIC classification of goods wagons
This list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
in the 1960s, but were classed as special wagons due to certain special features and retired almost completely by the end of the 20th century.
Livestock wagons
- German wagon classesGerman railway wagon classesThe system of German railway wagon classes was introduced in Germany in 1902 and 1905 by the Prussian state railways based on their system of norms, and was soon taken up by the other state railways . On the formation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, the system became mandatory across the whole of...
: to 1921 Ve…, from 1922 V… - UIC classificationUIC classification of goods wagonsThis list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
: H…e…
Whilst ordinary open or covered goods wagons were used for the transportation of cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and other large animals, special livestock wagons were being developed for small livestock as early as the 19th century. Optimal use of the roughly 2 metre high loading volume was made by loading domestic pigs
PIGS
PIGS is a four letter acronym that can stand for:* PIGS , Phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor biosynthesis, class S, a human gene* PIGS , the economies of Portugal, Italy , Greece and Spain...
, goats and sheep on two levels. Some wagons could have intermediate floors fitted for transporting poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
.
The design was closely based on contemporary covered wagons. Externally the most noticeable feature of these mainly twin-axled livestock vans were the slatted sides guaranteeing good ventilation. Dividing walls on many types of livestock van enabled a vertical division of the loading space. In the side walls there were feeding and air flaps, the number of which corresponded to the number of compartments.
Livestock vans were built for the German state railways
Länderbahnen
The German term Länderbahnen generally refers to the state railways of the German Empire in the period from about 1840 to 1920 when they were merged into the Deutsche Reichsbahn after the First World War....
in state classes
German state railway norms
In German railway engineering, norms are standards for the design and production of railway vehicles.In the 1880s and 1890s, Prussian norms were developed for the locomotives, tenders and wagons of the Prussian state railways under the direction of the railway director responsible for railway...
, Verbandsbauart
Verbandsbauart
The German term Verbandsbauart describes both a type of goods wagon as well as a type of tram.In order to standardise the goods wagons classes of the various German state railways , the German State Railway Wagon Association issued regulations...
and Austauschbauart
Austauschbauart
The so-called Austauschbauart wagons were German railway vehicles produced from the late 1920s onwards which had common components built to agreed standards.-Origin of the concept:...
types. After the Second World War the majority of the remaining ones were considerably rebuilt by the DB
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
. Today there are no livestock vans left in service, because animals can be transported at higher speed and with greater flexibility by road.
Wagons with end doors
- German wagon classesGerman railway wagon classesThe system of German railway wagon classes was introduced in Germany in 1902 and 1905 by the Prussian state railways based on their system of norms, and was soon taken up by the other state railways . On the formation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, the system became mandatory across the whole of...
: G…t… - UIC classificationUIC classification of goods wagonsThis list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
: H…c…
Variants of the covered goods wagon were also built with end doors from the 1920s to the 1960s. These were, in particular, the Austauschbauart Dresden class wagons, the Kriegsbauart
Kriegsbauart
The German term Kriegsbauart refers to railway goods wagon classes that were developed during the Second World War for the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The start of the war was an arbitrary dividing line for the classification of goods wagons, and did not represent any technological change...
four-axled wagons of the Bromberg class and their successors in the DR as well as a batch of 600 Umbauwagen for the DB
Deutsche Bundesbahn
The Deutsche Bundesbahn or DB was formed as the state railway of the newly established Federal Republic of Germany on September 7, 1949 as a successor of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft '...
.
The original role of these vehicles was the transport of new, mostly open-topped cars. But by the end of the 20th century there was no longer any significant demand for this type of wagon. However, one remaining sphere of work is, for example, the transportation of the elephants for Circus Knie
Circus Knie
Circus Knie is the largest circus of Switzerland, based in Rapperswil.The circus was founded in 1803 by the Knie family and has existed in its present form since 1919 when it changed from an open arena to a covered tent. The circus has been long famous for its animals and now operates a zoo and a...
in special Hcks wagons belonging to the Swiss Federal Railways.
Leig units
- German wagon classesGerman railway wagon classesThe system of German railway wagon classes was introduced in Germany in 1902 and 1905 by the Prussian state railways based on their system of norms, and was soon taken up by the other state railways . On the formation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, the system became mandatory across the whole of...
: Gll… - UIC classificationUIC classification of goods wagonsThis list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
: H…−…z
The Leig units were permanently coupled pairs of covered wagons that appeared in the ranks of the Deutsche Reichsbahn
Deutsche Reichsbahn
Deutsche Reichsbahn was the name of the following two companies:* Deutsche Reichsbahn, the German Imperial Railways during the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich and the immediate aftermath...
from the 1920s, mainly from existing covered wagon stock.
Ferry wagons
- German wagon classesGerman railway wagon classesThe system of German railway wagon classes was introduced in Germany in 1902 and 1905 by the Prussian state railways based on their system of norms, and was soon taken up by the other state railways . On the formation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, the system became mandatory across the whole of...
: Gf…, later Gb… - UIC classificationUIC classification of goods wagonsThis list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
: H…f…
Covered goods wagons designed for goods services to Great Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
have to comply with the smaller loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
in the United Kingdom and therefore had less loading volume than the equivalent wagon for services on continental Europe. The wagons with individual sliding doors have also been replaced by modern sliding wall wagons. In Germany these vehicles were formerly designated as ferry wagons (Fährbootwagen).
Sliding wall wagons
- German wagon classesGerman railway wagon classesThe system of German railway wagon classes was introduced in Germany in 1902 and 1905 by the Prussian state railways based on their system of norms, and was soon taken up by the other state railways . On the formation of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, the system became mandatory across the whole of...
: K…g… - UIC classificationUIC classification of goods wagonsThis list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
: H…i…
The present-day standard wagon for moisture-susceptible pallet
Pallet
A pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
ised goods has sliding sides rather than fixed side walls, which enables access to the entire loading area for loading and unloading. These wagons with sliding walls or sides did not evolve from the original covered wagon, but were derived in the 1950s from wagons with sliding roofs and sides, which is why they used to be grouped in Class K.
The DB
Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn AG is the German national railway company, a private joint stock company . Headquartered in Berlin, it came into existence in 1994 as the successor to the former state railways of Germany, the Deutsche Bundesbahn of West Germany and the Deutsche Reichsbahn of East Germany...
has over 15,000 sliding roof wagons. Wagons built up to the early 1980s have a loading area of 34.1 m² without partitions and can take a maximum of 30 Europool pallets (code letter b). On the more recent types were the dimensions were optimised: on 41.0 m² of loading area (without partitions) up to 40 Europool pallets can be carried (Code letter bb).
In addition to making best use of the loading area there has been a trend towards large-volume wagons, which make maximum use of the available loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
. However they need to take account of the fact that in many countries the permitted loading gauge varies and this reduces the interoperability
Interoperability
Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together . The term is often used in a technical systems engineering sense, or alternatively in a broad sense, taking into account social, political, and organizational factors that impact system to...
of this vehicle. The wagons cleared for use in Great Britain have a very small loading gauge and are distinguished bo the code letters f, ff or fff. Other countries with small loading gauges include Switzerland, something which needs to be borne in mind for trains transiting the country e.g. between Germany and Italy.
Sliding wall wagons are often fitted with partitions that prevent the goods sliding back and forth in the wagon (code letter l) and some are lockable (code letter ll). This is particularly useful if the wagon is not fully laden. However the use of partitions reduces the available loading area.
The UK 'Van'
Historically the open wagon was the most common type of vehicle used for general merchandise traffic in Britain, with covered wagons ('goods vans') being used for specific types of goods requiring greater protection. Most wagons were 'unfitted' (i.e. not equipped with continuous brakes), the exceptions being wagons used on express goods traffic. However, British Railways' fleet modernisation during the 1950s resulted in vans being used for a much higher proportion of merchandise traffic, and the fitting of vacuum brakes as standard. The typical British goods van of this period had a 10-foot wheelbase and a payload of 12 tons. The most common types were general purpose 'ventilated vans' such as Vanfits, but there were numerous more specialised types:- Vanfits were ventilated vans which were built in very large numbers and used for almost any type of goods.
- Vanwides were an improved version of the Vanfit, built with wider doors for easier loading and unloading. Some of these eventually received air brakes and lasted into the early 1990s, by which time they were the last traditional short-wheelbase vans in regular traffic.
- Palvans were designed for palletised loads and loading by forklift truck. Whereas most vans had small doors centrally positioned on the van sides, Palvans had large doors half the width of the wagon on the left hand side of each side (i.e. diagonally opposite each other). Although palletisation was the future, these early Palvans were found to be very sensitive to unbalanced loads and prone to derailment at higher speeds.
- Shocvans and Palshocvans (a.k.a.Palvan Shocks) were the shock-absorbing equivalents of Vanfits and Palvans. Shock wagons were used to transport fragile goods which were at risk of being broken as a result of heavy shunting or other jolts whilst in transit; this was especially important for eggs and pottery. The van bodies were about 10" shorter in length than the chassis and were mounted to the chassis via springs which absorbed some of the shock of sudden jolts.
- Insulated Vans (for meat), Meat Vans (ventilated for fresh meat), Insulfish vans (insulated for fish traffic - these had longer wheelbases so that they could be operated at higher speeds), Fruit Vans (ventilated vans for fruit traffic) and Banana Vans (unventilated and fitted with steam heating apparatus to warm and ripen the load, which was picked before ripening) were all specialist types for specific types of perishable goods traffic.
- Gunpowder Vans were specially constructed vans for explosives. They were shorter in length and height than standard vans, and were double skinned.
- Mogos had doors in the van ends so that cars and similar loads could be driven/rolled into and out of the wagon.
- Cattle Vans were built for livestock traffic.
- Ferry Vans were larger vans fitted with securing points for train ferries, dual brakes (air and vacuum) and various other features for international use.
Construction of the traditional small vans ceased in 1962 due to declining traffic and a surplus of wagons. When construction of general merchandise vans resumed around 1970, these were the air-braked VAA/VBA/VCA/VDA family of 20' 9" wheelbase vans. The last mass produced merchandise vans built for British Rail were the 29' 6" wheelbase VGA class sliding-wall vans of the early 1980s. Subsequent vans used in the UK have mostly been large (usually bogie) sliding-wall vans of continental design.
See also
- BoxcarBoxcarA boxcar is a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry general freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is probably the most versatile, since it can carry most loads...
- Forty-and-eights
- General Utility VanGeneral Utility VanA General Utility Van is a type of rail vehicle built by British Rail and its predecessors, which was primarily used for transporting mail and parcels. They were used by both Express Parcels Systems, the British Post Office and Railtrack. National Rail and some Train Operating Companies still use...
- Goods wagonGoods wagonGoods wagons are railway wagons that are used for the transportation of goods .- Development :At the beginning of the railway era, the vast majority of goods wagons were four-wheeled vehicles of simple construction. These were almost exclusively small covered wagons, open wagons with side-boards,...
- Open wagonOpen wagonOpen wagons form a large group of railway goods wagons designed primarily for the transportation of bulk goods that are not moisture-retentive and can usually be tipped, dumped or shovelled. The International Union of Railways distinguishes between ordinary wagons and special wagons...
- UIC classification of goods wagonsUIC classification of goods wagonsThis list contains the UIC classification of goods wagons and their meanings. The description is made up of a class letter and usually several code letters ....
Sources
- Behrends H et al.: Güterwagen-Archiv (Band 2), Transpress VEB Verlag für Verkehrswesen, Berlin 1989.
- Carstens S et al.: Güterwagen (Band 1), MIBA-Verlag, Nürnberg 2000.
- Carstens S et al.: Güterwagen (Band 2), MIBA-Verlag, Nürnberg 2000.