WAGONS

摘要

Since privatisation, nearly 2,000 high-capacity coal hoppers have been built. Of the main freight companies, only DRS lacks a coal haulage arm. In one respect, the modern wagons are simpler than their merry-go-round predecessors. Automatic discharge has been replaced by manual operation of the hopper doors. While this might seem retrograde, it removes the need for elaborate trackside unlocking, opening, closing and relocking mechanisms. In addition, the train brakes provide a ready supply of air to operate the pneumatic motors that open and close the hopper doors.