|
The type 16b vans built in 1955 were followed in 1956 by a modified version of the same design without the end platform. The first twenty vans (Z461-480) of this class (type 17a) had frames identical to the type 16b vans but the later vans (type 17b) Z481-566 had a modified underframe without the prominent angles to support the body and different V hangers for the vacuum cylinder. Notice the difference in the body support brackets between Z464 and Z512 in the photos as well as the V hangers for the vacuum cylinder. |
|
|||
|
Built over a period of ten years these vans were the most numerous type of brakevan ever owned by the W.A.G.R. and most lasted until the end of brakevan operations on the W.A.G.R. in 1985. One early casualty was Z491, which was written off after collision damage in March 1959. |
|
|||
|
In 1965 two vans (494 and 509) were rebuilt with lower roofs and buckeye couplers for bauxite traffic. From 1969 they were reclassified ZS and additional conversions followed although not all ZS class vans had the lower roof. Details of the fate of the vans are given in the table below. |
|
|||
