These hoppers became the standard ballast hoppers for over 60 years. Initially of riveted construction, later versions entering service after WW2 were welded. The design, proved to be very successful and varied little in later batches. The door opening method was by the use of 3 hand-wheels, which were screw-wound to open or close the doors with a degree of fine control.
Builders:
- Ritchie Brothers built the first batch of xx riveted hoppers in 1928.
- Railway Workshops built xx welded hoppers in the late 1950’s.
Other Running Numbers: if they were allocated another range of numbers (if not delete entire line)
Bogies: Originally diamond-frame bogies fitted. They were later upgraded with 2BN bogies and then with roller bearing type bogies of various designs (XCG, XCF, XCL)
Coding:
- As introduced, they were coded BBW and also carried the W ‘Way and Works’ rollingstock numbering.
- After 1979, they were recoded NHWA for plain bearing, or NHWF for roller bearing fitted wagons.
Colour Scheme:
- As introduced and thru to the mid 1970’s, they were painted gunmetal grey with white lettering and control levers.
- In the 70’s, very few received the PTC blue livery as most were painted yellow.
- During the 80’s, some were painted SRA red,
- And in the 90’s, some were painted in FreightRail blue.
Modifications: Apart from bogie upgrades, buffer removal, the fitting of load-compensating and grade control systems, neither type of BBW had any major modifications made.
Similar Vehicles: Medway Colliery near Berrima, used a few riveted BBW for their operation. They were fitted with 3ft high welded ‘hungry boards’.
Period of Service: November 1928 – 1997. BBW W1 was condemned in May 1966.
Operation:
These wagons were used fairly exclusively on ballasting tasks. They were marshalled with either one or two BBP plough vans as required, where required. Loading was done at the railway quarries at Martins Ck, Ardglen and Bombo or at country loading sites such as Talbragar (near Dubbo) and Cootamundra. Once loaded, they could then be seen singularly or in blocks on any section of the railway system. They were superceded by the NHBF and NDFF ballast hoppers.