KWIK Fab Projects has developed a low-cost, low-maintenance wagon for 40ft or smaller containers, aimed at metre and Cape gauge railways with limited resources. Designed to cost the same as a similar second-hand refurbished vehicle, drop side, stanchion and hopper models of the EA01 are available.
Steel parts are protected from wear by polymer mouldings, and to deter theft and reduce accidental damage important components are housed within the wagon’s structure. A modular design is used to simplify component replacement, and the wagon is designed to be supplied semi-knocked-down in a container by sea, road or rail. The steel is laser-cut, and the wagon deck can be locally assembled without jigs in 2 h.
The wagon has Tread Steer self-steering bogies, with inclined rubber chevrons for primary suspension, allowing the wagon to negotiate poor track. The bogie design has been in service with the Port Shepstone & Alfred County Railway since 1997. The secondary suspension uses rubber and steel springing instead of the more usual coil spring.
The bogies have built-in air brakes, with conventional linkages to composite brake blocks on each wheel. The brake pipes are galvanised to prevent corrosion. The brake isolating valve is positioned so it can be seen by train crew, with a flag extended to alert the driver when the handbrake is applied. The wagon can accommodate both Davies & Metcalfe and Knorr-Bremse valves.
Kwik Fab is negotiating the supply of 130 wagons, and plans to open a plant in Tanzania for the East African market.
Kwik Fab Projects, South Africa Reader Enquiry Number 149
