Freight Wagons

Freight Wagons
Q. What are the loading gauge restrictions (maximum

dimensions) on IR wagons?
Please see the 1971 standards for rolling stock dimensions and also the older, 1929 standards for
rolling stock dimensions. Also of potential interest in this connection are the dimensions of tracks.
Q. How are freight cars classifed by IR?

The following codes are used now for classifying freight cars. The classification scheme is not entirely
systematic. Older wagons especially have codes that are not easily explained in this way. But in
general an optional gauge code is followed by a type code which is followed by an indication of the
coupler and whether the wagon is air-braked.
Gauge code
M : (prefix) MG
N : (prefix) NG
Wagon type code
B : (prefix) Bogie wagon (sometimes omitted)
BV : Brake van
V : Brake/parcel van (see above for brake van codes)
O : Open wagon (gondola)
C : Covered wagon (boxcar)
F : Flat car
FK : Flat car for container transport
FU : Well wagon
LA : Low flat car with standard buffer height
LB : Low flat car with low buffer height
LAB : Low flat car, one end with low buffers, the other with high buffers
R : Rail-carrying wagon
T : Tanker (additional letters indicate material carried)
U : Well wagon
W : Well wagon
K : Open wagon: ballast / material / refuse transport (older wagons)
C : Centre discharge
S : Side discharge
R : Rapid (forced) discharge, bottom discharge
X : Both centre and side discharge
X : (also?) High sided
Y : Low (medium?) side walls
L : Low sided
H : Heavy load
The B indication is sometimes omitted as all new wagons are bogie stock.
Following the type code in the classification code a letter may denote the type of coupler, nowadays
optional, as all new freight cars are fitted with centre buffer couplers (CBC). An 'N' suffix is for
'pneumatic', or air-braked wagons. Most newer stock that is air-braked also has CBC couplers, so the
'C' is usually dropped. E.g., BOXN for air-braked BOX wagons, not BOXCN. Almost all the older stock is
vacuum-braked.
Coupler, brake, and other suffixes:
C = Centre buffer coupler (CBC)
R = Screw coupling only
T = Transition coupler (CBC with additional side buffers and screw coupling)
N = Air-braked
M = (suffix) Military
Most wagons are made of steel, except for a few special-purpose wagons. Some specialized wagons
have been made with stainless steel or special steel alloys to reduce corrosion. Some Recently [12/04]
with the rising price of steel IR has been looking into using steel substitutes, and plans have also been
drawn up for the production of aluminium-body wagons (see BOBNAL, BOBRAL below). It is thought
that about 750 aluminium wagons will be built in 2005-2006. Interestingly, some of these are said to
be of a 4-wheel design. The tare weight is expected to be reduced by about 4.2 tonnes. A few
aluminium wagons are already in use on a trial basis. Aluminium wagons besides being of a lower cost
and having a lower tare weight, also have the advantage of suffering less corrosion in many
circumstances. A typical rake with aluminium wagons instead of steel ones would carry almost 240t
more goods.
As seen in the permanent way section, many BG routes have rails that allow axle loads of up to 25t, or
in many cases 22.5t. However, normal operating procedures on IR restrict BG wagons to 20.3t of axle
load. Now [3/05] it has been proposed that this be raised to 23t.
Descriptions of some wagon types follow below.
BOX
High-sided bogie open wagon. Side discharge arrangement. 55 ton capacity, 25 ton tare. Used
for coal and other bulk goods. About 7,000 of these are in use [2006]; this class is in decline since the
advent of the BOXN and other variants. There used to be over 14,000 of these in the 1990s, and
about 8,800 as late as 2005. BOXT, BOXR, and BOXC are the same with transition, screw, and CBC
couplers, respectively.
BOXN BOX variant: High-sided bogie open wagon with pneumatic brakes, high tensile CBC
couplers, CASNUB cast steel bogies, cartridge tapered roller bearings. Perhaps the most common
wagon, there are around 64,000 or more of these in use [2002-2006]. Used for bulk movement of
material commodities (coal, iron ore, stone, etc.).
Max. axle load
20.32t
Spring grouping per bogie outer
12
Spring grouping per bogie inner
Tare
22.47t
Payload (RDSO spec.)
58.81t
Payload (revised, incl.

tolerance)
64+2 = 66t (RC

13/2007)
Gross load (RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)
81.28t
Gross load (revised, incl. tolerance)
86.47+2 = 88.47t
Capacity
56.3m3
Width
3.2m
Height
3.225m
Length over headstock
9.784m
Length over coupler faces
10.71m
Distance between bogie centres
6.524m
Standard rake size (2007)
59
Total train load (incl. BVZC, RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)
4809.3t
Total train load (incl. BVZC, CC+8+2)
5399.32 (BOXNM1) A.L. - 22.9 tt
Total train load (incl. BVZC, revised, incl. tolerance)
5233.53t
RDSO design speed (loaded)
60 (CC+8+2), 75 (CC)
RDSO design speed (empty)
80 (CC+8+2), 80 (CC)
CRS sanctioned speed (loaded, SER)
60km/h (CC+8+2), 75km/h (CC)
CRS sanctioned speed (empty, SER)
80km/h (CC+8+2), 80km/h (CC)
AAR 'E' high-tensile coupler with high-capacity draft gear. CASNUB 22 NLB Cast Steel bogies. Air
brakes and parking brakes. Rated speed 80km/h (some older ones were rated at 75km/h).
BOXN-HA
The BOXNHA type is a BOXN variant with improved bogies and higher capacity, fit for
100km/h. (Suffix 'HA' = 'high axle load'.) Uses IRF 108HS cast steel bogies with secondary
suspension, CBC couplers, and single-pipe air brakes. The wagon is similar to the BOXN wagon in
length and width, but taller by 225mm. Rake loads rise to 3783t from the 3411t of ordinary BOXN
wagons.
These wagons were designed for higher speed (100km/h) operations with higher axle loads (22.1t for
coal, 23.5t for iron ore). 301 of these wagons were produced between Nov. 1999 and March 2000 and
at first allocated to the Hospet - Chennai section. However, the track on this section could not handle
the higher axle loads (the wagons required 52kg 90 UTS rails) and upgrade plans were dropped, so
the decision was made to run the BOXN-HA wagons with reduced loading and stop the manufacture of
more of them. About 400 more of them were eventually manufactured before production was halted
permanently. RDSO later developed the BOXN-HS variants (see below) which later became more
widely used for high-speed iron ore and coal loads. BOXN-HA production has not resumed although
now many main line sections have 60kg rails and are quite capable of handling the wagons' higher
axle loads. It appears that the poor condition of some bridges and other track structures may have
been the reason behind halting the BOXN-HA production. Had this wagon come into general use,
freight rakes of 5220 tonnes could have been run. These wagons number about 731 as of 2006.
Max. axle load
22.9t
Some variants 23.5t.
Spring grouping per bogie - outer
14
Spring grouping per bogie - inner
14
Tare
23.17t
65.23t
Payload (revised, incl. tolerance)
66+2 = 68t
(RC 102/2007)
88.40t
91.17t
Capacity
NA
Width
3200mm
Height
3450mm
9780mm
10713mm
NA
59
5229.4t
NA
5392.8t
60km/h (22.9t), 100km/h (20.32t)
65km/h (22.9t), 100km/h (20.32tkm/h
UP (22.9t), 75km/h (20.32t)
UP (22.9t), 100km/h (20.32t)
BOXN-HS
BOXNHS wagons are converted BOXN wagons fitted with CASNUB HS high-speed
bogies raising the max. speed to 100km/h. Developed by RDSO after the BOXN-HA wagons didn't
work out; it has a 8% lower capacity compared to the BOXN-HA. Many BOXN-HS wagons have been
seen [8/05] with a name, 'Pragati', stenciled on them. It is not known whether these represent some
sort of class name or a variant design.
Max. axle load
20.32t
14
12
Tare
22.47t
58.81t
64+2 = 66t
(RC 13/2007)
81.28t
86.47+2 = 88.47t
Capacity
NA
Width
NA
Height
NA
NA
NA
NA
59
4809.32t
5399.32 (BOXNHSM1) A.L. - 22.9 tt
5233.53t
60km/h (CC+8+2), 100km/h (CC)
65km/h (CC+8+2), 100km/h (CC)
UP (CC+8+2), 100km/h (CC)
UP (CC+8+2), 100km/h (CC)
BOXN-HL
BOXNHL wagons are like BOXNHS wagons but about 250mm longer, and made of
stainless steel and cold rolled sections. Air-braked, CBC couplers, roller bearings.
Max. axle load
22.9t
14
14
Tare
20.6t
71.0t
70t
(RC 29/2009)
91.6t
90.6t
Capacity
61.05m3
Width
3250mm
Height
3301mm
10034mm
10963mm
6690mm
58
(RC 05/2009)
5326.6t
NA
5268.6t
75km/h
100km/h
UP
UP
BOXN-CR
BOXNCR wagons are corrosion-resistant BOXN wagons built with 3CR12 stainless
steel (a proprietary version of grade 409 stainless steel). Only about 580 of these (10 rakes) have
been built so far [4/02] as part of ongoing service trials. Note: In 2006, IR's published statistics
reported holdings of only 286 of these wagons; it's not clear whether this is a clerical error or whether
nearly 300 of them have been retired/scrapped in recent years.
BOXN-LW
The BOXNLW wagons are low-tare-weight BOXN wagons ('LW' = 'low weight') The
tare weight is reduced by 1.8t compared to BOXN wagons, and the payload correspondingly increased
by the same amount. This wagon has a stainless steel body to reduce corrosion. About 250 of these (4
rakes) have been bult so far [12/04] as part of ongoing service trials Air-braked, CBC coupler, roller
bearings..
Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
20.41t
60.87t
81.28t
-t
Capacity
61.09m3
Width
3250mm
Height
3341mm
9784mm
10713mm
6524mm
59
4809.32t
NA
-t
75km/h
100km/h
UP
UP
BOXN-AL
BOXNAL wagons are BOXN wagons with an aluminium body on top of a steel
underframe. The aluminium alloy is 'RDE-40', also used in the BOBR-AL wagons. These wagons are
naturally lighter and allow a higher payload to be carried for the same axle load.
BOXN-EL
The BOXNEL wagons are BOXN wagons with 'enhanced loading' features, designed for
transporting coal, ores, etc. CASNUB 22NLC bogies, CBC couplers, single-pipe air brakes.
Max. axle load
25t
14
14
Tare
22.47t
75.73t
75+2 = 77t
(RC 109/2007)
98.0t
99.47t
Capacity
56.29m3
Width
3200mm
Height
3233mm
9784mm
10713mm
6524mm
59
5795.8t
NA
5882.5t
45+5km/h
60+5km/h
45km/h
60km/h
BOXN-25M
BOXN variants produced by Golden Rock Workshops (2012) designed for a 25t axle
load and correspondingly higher carrying capacity. Swing motion bogies.
BOXS
BOX wagon with side discharge / flap doors, siding roof (rare)
???
(Code not known) [12/06] New low-height BOXN variants have been seen coupled in sets of 5
wagons just like the BLCA/BLCB formations (q.v.). Each coupled group of 5 wagons has a CBC at
either end. Within each group the wagons have slackless drawbars connecting them to one another.
Like the BLCA/BLCB, these are expected to allow IR to carry taller loads without running into problems
with height clearances.
BCN
Bogie covered 8-wheeler wagon, CASNUB bogies, air-braked, CBC. Originally developed in
1984 for carrying bagged commodities. Original model had entirely riveted construction. This variant
has undergone some changes over the years. Newer ones have snubbers and nested coil springs
under bolster, elastomeric pads, with secondary suspension system.
Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
27.2t
Older: 25.9t
54.08t
61+1 = 62t
(RC 13/2007)
81.28t
89.2t
Capacity
104m3
Width
NA
Height
NA
14500mm
15429mm
10000mm
41
3346.28t
3674.28 (CC+6+2)(BCNM1)
A.L. - 22.9t
3671.8t
60km/h (CC+6+2), 75km/h (CC)
80km/h (CC+6+2), 80km/h (CC)
UP (CC+6+2), 75km/h (CC)
UP (CC+6+2), 80km/h (CC)
BCNA
The BCNA wagon, also known as 'BCN/A', is a variant of the BCN design was developed to
be less long but increased height to keep the capacity the same. It has welded construction compared
to the original BCN which was riveted. BCNA wagons are covered bogie wagons (capable of being
made water-tight for delicate commodities) with cartridge tapered roller bearings, cast steel bogie, air
brakes. Two doors on each side. Uses BCN design's 2-tonne overload capacity. Also very common,
there are more than 42,000 of these in use [2006]. Used for foodstuffs, cement, etc. (but see the
BCCN wagon below, especially for cement transport, and BCX, which are also used for bulk food
transport).
Max. axle load
20.32t
Spring grouping per bogie outer
12
Spring grouping per bogie inner
Tare
24.55t
56.73t
Payload (revised, incl.

tolerance)
63+1 = 64t
(RC 13/2007)
Gross load (RDSO spec., excl.

tolerance)
81.28t
Gross load (revised, incl.

tolerance)
88.55t
Capacity
106.5m3
Width
3200mm
Height
4017mm
13521m
14450mm
Distance between bogie

centres
9500
43
Total train load (incl. BVZC,

RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)
3508.8t

CC+8+2)
3852.8
(CC+6+2)
(BCNAM1)
A.L. - 22.9t

revised, incl. tolerance)
3555.8t
60km/h
(CC+6+2),
80km/h (CC)
80km/h
(CC+6+2),
80km/h (CC)
CRS sanctioned speed

(loaded, SER)
UP (CC+6+2),
75km/h
UP (CC+6+2), 80km/h (CC)
AAR 'E' high-tensile coupler with high-capacity draft gear. CASNUB 22 NLB cast steel bogies. Snubbers
and nested coil springs under bolster, elastomeric pads, etc., with secondary suspension system. Air
brakes and parking brakes. Rated for 80km/h.
BCNA-HS BCNAHS wagons are a modified design of the BCNA wagons with CASNUB HS highspeed bogies raising the max. speed to 100km/h. These wagons are characterised by a patch of
red/white horizontal stripes on the top left.
BCCN
BCN variants for carrying bulk cement.
Loading is through ports at the top; unloading via

chutes at the bottom.
BCCN/BCCNA/BCCNB
Automobile
Carriers
A few wagons also marked BCCN like the cement carrier class noted above are actually single- or
double-decker wagons intended for carrying automobiles; these have a low platform with 840mm
wheel diameter and are fitted with air brakes. Only about 50 of these are thought to exist [4/02]. The
explanation of the class code is that they are thought to have been made by taking old BCCN wagons
and modifying them. Also see 'NMG' below. They were built in 1997 by the Golden Rock Workshops
based on designs from RDSO, and were intended to carry Maruti brand automobiles. These come in
two varieties, 'A', and 'B', classified BCCNA and BCCNB. More recently [11/04] another
variation, BCCNR (BCCN-R), has been spotted - see separate entry below.
BCCNR
Automobile carrier wagons introduced in 2004. these are single-deck covered wagons
with 10t capacity and 28.5t tare weight, and a low platform with 840mm diameter wheels. Some of
these were limited to 65km/h but later were apparently approved for 100km/h. These were designed
to capture more automobile traffic, especially from the south where many automobile plants are,
following the introduction of different car models by various manufacturers in recent years which could
not be carried on the original wagons (taller and bigger cars can now be carried). These were built
starting in 2000 after some trials of in early 1999 of several variant designs proposed by RDSO.
BCCNR wagons are not thought to number more than about 35.
NMG
These are not narrow-gauge wagons, despite the classification code! These are usually
single-decker automobile carriers constructed out of old ICF and BEML passenger stock. The design is
not entirely uniform but generally all the windows and doors are welded shut, and a new end door
created to allow vehicles to be driven into the wagon (or former coach!). Some NMG wagons are made
from old double-decker passenger stock and are thought to allow double-deck carrying of automobiles.
A few NMG units converted from old BCCN (cement wagons) have also been spotted. The class code
'NMG' stands for 'New Modified Goods'; but at the time of its introduction it was also common to hear
the explanation that it stood for 'New Maruti
Goods' (Maruti is an Indian car manufacturer).
Other Automobile Carriers

Several other converted coaches have been used for carrying automobiles. CONCOR has recently
[1/05] announced plans for a 'CARTRAC' service to carry automobiles. This appears to use the old
coaches from rakes of trains like the Gujarat Exp., formerly vacuum-braked, modified by welding the
side doors shut and adding openings at the ends to load cars. A movable ramp guides cars into one of
two decks and then folds away when the wagon is in motion.
BCX
Water-tight covered high-sided bogie wagon with cast steel bogies. Cartridge taper bearings
on newer ones. Snubbers and nested coil springs under bolster, elastomeric pads, with secondary
suspension system. Used for foodgrains, cement, etc. (BCXT, BCXR, BCXC are variants with transition
couplers, screw couplers, and CBC) Around 18,000 of these are in use. CASNUB cast steel bogies.
There are over 7,700 of these [2006]. The class is in decline - there were 9,200 of these in 2004.
Tare
27.2t
Payload
54.1t / 104m3
Axle load
22.9t
14.5m
Height
3.79m
BOY
Low-sided bogie open wagon, CBC 91.4 tonne load. Used for iron ore transport, etc. There are
about 880 of these [2006]; the class is somewhat in decline - there were over 900 of these in the late
1990s.
Max. axle load
22.9t
14
10
Tare
20.71t
71.49t
72+1 = 73t (RC 13/2007)
92.2t
92.71+1 = 93.71t
Capacity
NA
Width
NA
Height
NA
NA
NA
NA
53
4900.4t
NA
4980.43t
65km/h
80km/h
UP (22.9t ) 65km/h (20.32t)
UP (22.9t ) 80km/h (20.32t)
BOY-EL
BOYEL wagons are low-sided bogie open wagons - a BOY variant for 'enhanced loading'.
Designed for transporting coal, ores, etc. CASNUB 22NLC bogies, CBC couplers, single-pipe air brakes.
Max. axle load
25t
14
14
Tare
20.71t
77.29t
77+2 = 79t
(RC 109/2007)
98.0t
99.7t
Capacity
37.8m3
Width
3134mm
Height
2450mm
11000mm
11929mm
7330mm
53
5207.8t
NA
5297.9t
45+5km/h
60+5km/h
UP
UP
BOBS
Open hopper car with bottom/side discharge (often used for ballast and ores) Similar to the
BOBR/BOBRN wagons, except that the discharge is to the side (clear of the tracks). Underside doors
on the wagons are operated pneumatically, and can be controlled by a lineside triggering mechanism.
The various 'BOB' variants together number about 1,500 wagons.
Tare
30.4t
Payload
61.2t, 34m3
Length 11.6m, width of carbody 3.02m, height 3.3m. AAR 'E' high-tensile coupler with high-capacity
draft gear. CASNUB 22 NLB cast steel bogies. Air brakes and parking brakes. Rated for 100km/h.
BOBS-NM1
Open hopper car with bottom/side discharge, variant of BOBS with different
suspension and allowing a higher axle load of 25t. Used for ballast and ore transport. Several BOBS
wagons were converted to BOBS-NM1 in 2006-2007.
Max. axle load
25t
14
14
Tare
30.4t
67.6t
68+2 = 70t
(RC 109/2007)
98.0t
100.4t
Capacity
NA
Width
NA
Height
NA
NA
NA
NA
53
5207.8t
NA
5335t
45+5km/h
55+5km/h
45km/h
60km/h
BOBYN Open hopper car with side-bottom discharge, for carrying stone, track ballast, etc. These
are air-braked.
Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
26.78t
54.5t
59+2 = 61t
(RC 13/2007 )
81.28t
85.78+2 = 87.78t
Capacity
NA
Width
NA
Height
3.05m
10.718m
NA
7.47m
53
4321.64t
NA
4666.14t
75km/h
75km/h
These wagons have the usual CASNUB 22 NLB bogies and newer ones are provided with CBC,
although there are still many with transition couplers.
BOBC
Open hopper car with bottom/centre discharge
BOBX
Open hopper car with both bottom/side and bottom/centre discharge
BOBR
Open hopper car with rapid (pneumatic) bottom discharge doors. Same as BOBRN (see
below) except that they have vacuum brakes and are rated for lower speeds (80km/h?).
BOBRN Open hopper car with rapid (pneumatic) bottom discharge doors, air-braked. BOBRN and
BOBR (see above) are most often used for carrying coal to thermal power plants, and also for ore,
stone, track ballast, etc. Each wagon holds some 60t of coal loaded from the top and unloaded from
the bottom by means of the pneumatically operated doors. The contents of the wagon can be
discharged completely in about 15 seconds.
The door-opening mechanism is triggered by
lineside devices running on a 24V or 32V DC
source. As the wagons in a rake pass by the
triggering devices, their doors open and their
contents are unloaded into the pits below the
tracks (the 'merry-go-round' system). The
versions used by the power plants have 12
bottom doors, whereas IR uses variants that have
8 doors.
Max. axle load
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 20.32t
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 12
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 8
Tare
(CC+6+2)UP
(CC) 25.6t
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 55.68t
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 60 +2 = 62t
(RC 13/2007 )
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 81.28t
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 85.6+2 = 87.6tt
Capacity
57.2m3
Width
3.5m
Height
3.735m
9.671m
NA
6.79m
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 59
UP(CC)
(CC+6+2) 4809.32t
UP(CC)
5281.32t (CC+6+2)
A.L. -22.9 tt
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 5182.2t
UP (CC) 60km/h (CC+6+2)

75km/h (CC)
UP (CC) 70km/h (CC+6+2)

70km/h (CC)
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 60km/h
(CC+6+2)UP(CC)
(CC+6+2)UP(CC) 65km/h
(CC+6+2)UP(CC)
Length over coupler faces 11.6m. AAR 'E' high-tensile coupler with high-capacity draft gear. CASNUB
22 NLB cast steel bogies. Air brakes and parking brakes. Rated at 100km/h. (Power plant versions
without air brakes are rated at a lower speed.)
Some BOBRN wagons have been made of aluminium (BOBRAL / BOBR-AL). In these, the
underframe is made of steel while the rest of the body is made of aluminium. The maximum axle load
is the same as that of the regular BOBRN (20.32t), but the tare weight is reduced by 3.2t and the
payload correspondingly increased by the same amount. The aluminium alloy used is 'RDE-40', and
has 4% zinc, 2% magnesium, 0.35% manganese, and 0.15% zirconium.
BOST An open bogie wagon, for carrying finished steel products, but also used for coal, stone,
etc.BOST-HS is the high-speed version.
Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
25t
56.28t
61+2 = 63t
(RC 13/2007)
81.28t
86+2 = 88t
Capacity
NA
Width
3.1m
Height
3.08m
12.8m
NA
8.8m
43
3508.84t
NA
3797.8t
60km/h (CC+6+2), 75km/h (CC)
65km/h (CC+6+2), 80km/h (CC)
Under process (UP)
Under process (UP)
This has the usual CASNUB 22 NLB bogies (high-speed version fitted with CASNUB HS bogies), and
non-transition CBC. Air-braked.
BFK
Early version container flat car
BKFX
Container flat car for domestic 5-ton containers. Improved BFK with CASNUB bogies (not
much used now with the move to standard containers).
BFKI
Container flat car for ISO containers, with retractable anchor locks. Originally fitted with
vacuum brakes. CONCOR bought about 1300 of these from IR in 1997-1998 and retrofitted them with
air-brakes and put them to use on its domestic container traffic routes ('Contrack'). The ones fitted
with air-brakes were generally reclassified 'BFKN' (see below). In all, there are about 1,571 of these
now [2006].
BFKN
???
Converted BFKI flat cars with air brakes and CASNUB bogies. See 'BFKI' above.
(Code not known) Special flat wagon.
Tare 30t, payload 90t. Length 11.93m, width of carbody 2.8m, height 1.49m. AAR 'NT' CBC. UIC
bogies. No continuous brakes, parking brakes only. Rated at 25km/h.
BFNS
Special flat wagons for transport of steel (coils, sheets, etc.) and also used for transporting
rails. Air-braked. CASNUB 22 NLB bogies. Max. speed 100km/h.

Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
23.63t
57.65t
62+2 = 64t
(RC 13/2007)
81.28t
87.63t
Capacity
NA
Width
3045mm
Height
2650mm
13716mm
NA
9144mm
40
3265t
NA
3519t
100km/h
100km/h
75km/h
100km/h
???
'Crop' wagon for steel plants. Flat platform for finished steel goods, with low sidewalls.
Tare 25t, payload 55t. Length 8.33m, width of carbody 2.66m, height 2.19m. Screw coupling, no
continous brakes (only parking brake). Diamond frame bogies. Limited to 25km/h.
BFR
Bogie flat rail-carrying wagon (64 tonne load)
BFU
Bogie flat type wagon : for transporting motor vehicles.
BOM
Bogie open military wagon.
BRH Bogie rail-carrying flat car with roller bearings. This has end-plates that can be removed.
BRHT
Bogie rail wagon, heavy load (80 tonne load), with UIC bogies, transition coupler
BRN
Developed in 1994 as an improvement on the older BRH wagon. Air-braked wagon with
CASNUB bogies, for rails and steel products and similar heavy loads. These were originally built with
58t capacity, but around 2,200 of them are being downgraded [10/02] to 48t capacity. BRNA-HS is
the high-speed version of these.
Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
24.39t
56.88t
63+2 = 65t
(RC 13/2007)
81.28t
89.39t
Capacity
NA
Width
NA
Height
NA
NA
NA
NA
40
3265t
NA
3589.4t
65km/h
75km/h
65km/h
75km/h
BRNA
A variant of the BRN wagon developed in 1992. Air-braked, CBC couplers, roller bearings.
Max. axle load
20.32t
12
Tare
23.54t
57.91t
62+2 = 64t
(RC 13/2007)
81.45t
87.54t
Capacity
NA
Width
NA
Height
NA
13716mm
14645mm
9144mm
40
3271.8t
NA
3515.4t
65km/h
75km/h
65km/h
75km/h
BRST
BTO
Bogie rail-carrying wagon, with transition coupler.
Bogie tanker wagon for heavy oil, furnace oil, etc.
BTORX, MBTORX
Bogie tanker wagon for vegetable oil, and its MG variant
BTP, BTPN The most common bogie tanker wagon seen today. Used primarily for liquid
petroleum products (petrol, naphtha, kerosene, diesel, furnace oil, etc.), and also for molasses,
vegetable oil, etc. An enhanced version, the BTFLN, has been developed recently (see below). The
payload to tare ratio for this tanker is 2.0. There
are about 7,300 of these [2006].
Tare
27.0t
Payload
54.28t / 70.4m3
Axle load
20.32t
11.491m
12.42m
Height
4.265m
Width
3.126m
Distance between bogie

centres
8.391m
Inside diameter of tanker is 2.85m. CASNUB 22 NLB bogies, CBC non-transition couplers. BTPN
variants are air-braked.
BTFLN Improved frameless bogie tanker wagon, successor to the venerable BTPN (see above)
[2004]. Used primarily for liquid petroleum products (petrol, naphtha, kerosene, diesel, furnace oil,
etc.), and also for vegetable oil and other liquid cargo. The BTFLN wagon was developed by RITES in
collaboration with Azovmash of Ukraine. The tankers are frameless and have no center sill. The
tractive and buffing forces are taken up by the barrel body itself, so that it is subject to biaxial
stresses. The tare weight is lower than that of the BTPN by nearly 3.5t, and the payload is higher for
the same axle load. The payload to tare ratio rises to 2.4 with this tanker.
Tare
23.53t
Payload
57.75t / 76m3
Axle load
20.32t
11.491m
12.42m
Height
4.265m (?)
Width
3.126m
8.391m
Inside diameter of tanker is 2.85m. CASNUB 22 NLB bogies, CBC non-transition couplers. BTPN
variants are air-braked.
BTCS
Bogie tanker car for caustic soda.
Tare
26.0t
Payload
55.28t / 38.75m3
Axle load
20.32t
9.78m
Width 2.56m, height 4.11m. Inside diameter 2.3m. CASNUB bogies, CBC.
BTSA??
BTAP
Bogie tanker for sulphuric acid.
Bogie tanker car for alumina powder. Leakproof wagon with a special air fluidizing system for
discharging alumina powder from the bottom through pipes like a fluid.
Tare
27.9t
Payload
58t / 62m3
Axle load
20.32t
9.78m
Length 12.32m, width of tanker 3.2m, height 4.3m. CASNUB 22 NLB cast steel bogies, AAR 'E' hightensile coupler with high-capacity draft gear. Air brakes and parking brakes. Rated for 100km/h.
BTAL
Bogie tanker car for anhydrous ammonia
BTPGLN
Bogie tanker, for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Tare
41.6t
Payload
37.6t, 79.4m3
Axle load
20.3t
Length over couplers 18.9m, width 3.05m, height 4.29m. Inside diameter 2.4m.
BWH
Well wagon (20.47m long, 22.9t axle load) with 3-axled bogies. These are used for loads like
heavy transformers, etc., up to 92t.
BWL, BWS, BWH, BWT, BWX
Different kinds of well wagons (tall wagons with inward
sloping sides)
BWZ
Heavy-duty well wagon, for loads up to 220t such as large transformers and power plant
equipment.
Tare 146t, payload 220t (some versions are limited to 180t). Length 37.81m, width of carbody 3.74m.
Screw coupling. Cast steel bogies. No continuous brakes on most (retrofitted on some?), parking
brakes only. Limited to about 40km/h.
BVZC
BVZI
Four-wheeled brake van for block rakes, with CBC

Improved brake van with max. speed of 100km/h, and some improved comfort features
compared to the BVZC. It uses friction snubbers instead of hydraulic dashpots for damping, and has a
bogie-mounted brake system in place of the conventional arrangement.
BVG, BVGT, MBVG, NBVG
Brake van for non-block rakes. BGVT is the same with a
transition coupler. MBVG is the MG version and

NBVG is the NG version. 4-wheeled.
VVN (?) Milk tanker these are special tankers for carrying milk at 4 degrees Celsius. The milk is
carried in an inner barrel of stainless steel, surrounded by an outer barrel with insulation between the
two. Pasteurized and chilled milk remains cool enough with such an insulated design so that it does
not spoil on fairly long journeys; there is no need for refrigeration equipment. These tankers are
attached to express trains and are treated on par with passenger stock, and rated for higher speeds
(110km/h) than most freight stock. They have
Flexicoil bogies.
A different kind of milk tanker were the small
tankers donated by New Zealand that were in use
in the 1980s, for instance on the Miraj-Pune
Passenger. Two of these at a time were mounted
permanently on a flat car with Flexicoil bogies,
creating a two-tanker milk wagon with a single
base. These appear to have been decommissioned now. Classification code unknown.
Tare
33.7t
Payload
1.2t, 40m3
Axle load
20.3t
Length 14.07m, width of carbody 2.91m, height 3.96m. Transition or screw couplers. CASNUB 22 NLB
cast steel bogies. A buffer bogie is provided. Most have vacuum brakes, but some are air-braked.
Parking brakes provided. Rated at 100km/h.
BLAN/BLBN
Bogie low-platform container flats, in mating pairs 'A' and 'B'. These have largely
been superseded by the newer designs used by CONCOR (BLCA/BLCB, below).
BLC/BLCA/BLCB
BLC wagons are CONCOR's new [1995] container flats. (Also known as
'CCF', Coaching Container Flats.) Low platform container flat wagons. These have light-weight welded
'skeletal' design underframes, automatic twist locks, a single-pipe air-brake system, and reduced
wheel diameter (for the low beds). The low platform allows them to carry high-cube or Tallboy
containers on routes where clearances would otherwise make this impossible.
These are mostly used for international container traffic from Mumbai. The wagons come in two
flavours. An 'A' type (BLCA, also BLC-A) has a normal (AAR 'E' type) CBC at one end and a slackless
drawbar at the other end. The 'B' type wagon (BLCB, also BLC-B) has only the slackless drawbar
couplers at either end. Usually 3, or sometimes 5 BLCB wagons are coupled together, with a BLCA
wagon at either end, forming a semi-permanently coupled formation of 5 or 7 wagons.
Being longer than most other wagons, a rake can only have about 45 of these BLC flats, which at the
rate of 2 TEU's per wagon works out to a carrying capacity of 90 TEU's per train. A lot of international
container traffic (especially from Mumbai) is carried on these. SR's Golden Rock workshops are
expected to take over manufacturing these wagons. Also see below. New versions [9/04] have
automatic load-sensing devices to provide optimum braking power with different loads.
About 1905 of these were obtained first (in two batches) [6/02] and a third batch of another 1320
wagons were procured around 2002-2003. Since then there has been a steady growth in these and
now [2006] there are about 4,700 of these in use.
In 2012, Golden Rock Workshops came up with a variant, BLC-25M, intended for carrying heavier
loads with 25t axle loads, and provided with swing motion bogies.
Tare
BLCA 19.1t, BLCB 18.0t
BLCA 13.625m, BLCB 12.212m
Height
1.009m
Width
2.1m
Wheel dia.
840mm
BLCA 9.675m, BLCB 8.812m
AAR 'E' type CBC and slackless drawbar system. The slackless drawbar is lower than the normal
couplers, at 898mm, while the CBC are at normal height (1080mm). Bogies are cast steel CASNUB
bogies, a common variant in use now is denoted 'CONTR-LCCF-20(C)'. Air brakes, automatic load
sensors. Max. speed 100km/h.
Some refrigerated containers are also moved on BLCA/BLCB wagons. This service was introduced
recently [2004] between ICD Tughlakabad and JNPT / NSICT ports at Mumbai. These refrigerated units
have special power-packs for refrigeration power on the run. The containers are modified 40'
containers. Each power-pack serves 12 FEUs, and as many as three of them, serving 36 FEUs, have
been run by CONCOR on a single train.
BLLA/BLLB
These are variants of the BLCA/BLCB container flats, with an extra-long 45'
(13.7m) platform. There are about 405 of these in use [2006]. They were designed by RDSO and
RITES jointly, for transportation of Indian standard 22', 24', and 45' containers as well as ISO
standard 20' and 40' containers. The bogie is the 'hybrid' LCCF 20(c) bogie, which along with small
diameter wheels achieves a low underframe height. The wagons have twist locks to secure containers.
the BLLA wagons are intended to be the outer wagons in a coupled group of 5 wagons, with the inner
3 being the BLLB type. The outer couplers for the BLLA are AAR 'E' type, and the inner couplers are
slackless drawbar couplers.
<-- -->
Max. axle load
20.32t
NA
NA
Tare
19.8t
61t
NA
80.8t
NA
Capacity
NA
Width
2200mm
Height
1008mm
15220mm
16161mm
10700mm
45 (18 BLLA with 27 BLLB)
NA
NA
NA
100km/h
100km/h
NA
NA
TCT
(Non-standard classification code) BG Long Covered Wagon, for defence use. Screw couplers
and side buffers, fabricated 4-axle bogie, manual brakes.

Tare
84.7t
Capacity
65.0t
26400mm
Height
4246mm
Width
3200mm
18850mm
HTC
(HCT??) (Non-standard classification code) BG Long Covered Wagon, for defence use. Screw
couplers and side buffers, CASNUB 22NLB bogie, air brakes. Has a 'hood transfer mechanism'.
Tare
40.0t
Capacity
40.0t
26400mm
Height
4042mm
Width
3100mm
18850mm
MBC, MBCX
MG bogie box wagon, 34 ton capacity, 13.4 ton tare
MBOC, MBOCX
MBFU
MG bogie well wagon
MBTPZ
MBTW
MG bogie open wagon (coal, etc.), 35 ton capacity
MG bogie petroleum products wagon

MG bogie water wagon
NOL
NG open wagon, 21 ton tare
NCL
NG covered wagon, 21 ton tare
NMG
Not an NG wagon! See entry above under BG wagons.
DNMG
?? Heavy-duty flat car for military transport use (tare wt. 68 tonnes).
Descriptions of some older wagons are given below. These ae 4-wheeled non-bogie wagons unless
mentioned otherwise.
BT
C
Ballast-carrying hopper wagon with bottom discharge.
Covered rigid 4-wheeled wagon with ribbed body and hook coupling (old)
BC, MBC
CA
Early bogie version of the 'C' covered wagon, and its MG variant.
Variant of C, covered 4-wheeler ventilated wagon (for livestock)
CMR
Variant of C, covered 4-wheeler cattle wagon
CG
'Covered Goods': covered 4-wheeler wagon rakes
CR
Covered 4-wheeler wagon (rigid body (non-bogie), rather prone to derailment)
CRT, CRC
These are CR variants fitted with transition couplers and CBC. These CR wagons are
still in wide use, and have been retrofited with newer couplers and improved suspension. [7/00] These
wagons are now scheduled to be withdrawn.
CSI
K
Covered wagon (iron / general)
Open low-sided wagon, coal / general (old)
KC
Open high-sided unit wagon for construction material, refuse, etc. Now used for departmental
rakes to carry sleepers, etc.
KE
Open wagon elephant truck (!)
KF
Open wagon, low-sided, 'falling'
KL
Open wagon, low-sided
KM
K version for military use
BKM, DBKM
BKC
Bogie versions of the KM military flat / low-sided wagons
Bogie version of KC
BKH Bogie open hopper wagon with side and

centre discharge (ballast transport)
BT
Hopper cars with bottom discharge, used
for departmental rakes carrying ballast
Open 4-wheeled wagon
OM, MOM
Open military wagon. MOM is
the MG version.
TA
Tank wagon (acid)
TB
Tank wagon (benzene)
TBT
Tank wagon (bitumen)
TCL
Tank wagon (chlorine)
TCS
Tank wagon (caustic soda)
TE
Tank wagon (liquid caustic soda)
TF
Tank wagon (ammonia)
TG
Tank wagon (LPG)
THA
Tank wagon (hydrochloric acid)
TK
Tank wagon (kerosene)
TL
Tank wagon (heavy oil)
TM
Tank wagon (molasses)
TOH
Tank wagon (heavy oil)
TORX, MTORX
TP, TPR
Tank wagon (petroleum), the latter with screw coupling?
TPGLN, TPGLR
TR
Tank wagon (vegetable oil) and its MG version.
Tank wagon (petroleum/LPG products), the latter with screw coupling
Tank wagon (coal tar)
TSA
TV
Tank wagon (sulphuric acid)
Tank wagon (vegetable oil)
TW
Tank wagon (water)
TX
Tank wagon (liquid chlorine)
TZ
Tank wagon (lubricating oil)
TOH
Tank wagon (heavy oil, with heating arrangement)

Freight Wagons

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Исходное описание:

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Freight Wagons

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Freight Wagons

Q. What are the loading gauge restrictions (maximum

Q. How are freight cars classifed by IR?

B : (prefix) Bogie wagon (sometimes omitted)

V : Brake/parcel van (see above for brake van codes)

O : Open wagon (gondola)

C : Covered wagon (boxcar)

FK : Flat car for container transport

LA : Low flat car with standard buffer height

LB : Low flat car with low buffer height

T : Tanker (additional letters indicate material carried)

K : Open wagon: ballast / material / refuse transport (older wagons)

R : Rapid (forced) discharge, bottom discharge

X : Both centre and side discharge

X : (also?) High sided

Y : Low (medium?) side walls

C = Centre buffer coupler (CBC)

R = Screw coupling only

Spring grouping per bogie outer

Spring grouping per bogie inner

Payload (RDSO spec.)

Payload (revised, incl.

64+2 = 66t (RC

Gross load (RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)

Gross load (revised, incl. tolerance)

Length over headstock

Length over coupler faces

Distance between bogie centres

Standard rake size (2007)

Total train load (incl. BVZC, RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)

Total train load (incl. BVZC, CC+8+2)

5399.32 (BOXNM1) A.L. - 22.9 tt

Total train load (incl. BVZC, revised, incl. tolerance)

RDSO design speed (loaded)

RDSO design speed (empty)

CRS sanctioned speed (loaded, SER)

60km/h (CC+8+2), 75km/h (CC)

CRS sanctioned speed (empty, SER)

80km/h (CC+8+2), 80km/h (CC)

Max. axle load

Spring grouping per bogie - outer

Spring grouping per bogie - inner

Payload (RDSO spec.)

Payload (revised, incl. tolerance)

Gross load (RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)

Gross load (revised, incl. tolerance)

Length over headstock

Length over coupler faces

Distance between bogie centres

Standard rake size (2007)

Total train load (incl. BVZC, RDSO spec., excl. tolerance)

Total train load (incl. BVZC, CC+8+2)

Total train load (incl. BVZC, revised, incl. tolerance)

RDSO design speed (loaded)

60km/h (22.9t), 100km/h (20.32t)

RDSO design speed (empty)

65km/h (22.9t), 100km/h (20.32tkm/h

CRS sanctioned speed (loaded, SER)

UP (22.9t), 75km/h (20.32t)

CRS sanctioned speed (empty, SER)

UP (22.9t), 100km/h (20.32t)

Spring grouping per bogie - outer

Spring grouping per bogie - inner