The Railfreight HEA Wagon 360587 model is an ecample of a HEA 4-axle coal hopper wagon in BR Refreight livery. This British Rail standard design was built to transport domestic coal to urban areas – differing to the classic ‘Merry-Go-Round’ hoppers which took coal directly to power stations.

This new wagon is based on extensive research and underwent a painstaking design process, culminating in a product that is highly accurate, features numerous separately fitted parts including brake piping, and includes a die-cast weight for smooth running. Often seen running in long block rakes or mixed into ‘Speedlink’ railfreight services, the new HBA/HEA family is sure fit in perfectly on any 1970s or later themed layout.

Model Specification:

• Extensively researched model of a HEA coal hopper wagon
• Highly detailed
• Separate parts including brake piping, ladders, underframe equipment, and buffers
• Die-cast weight
• Kinematic NEM coupling
• Minimum second radius.

Tooling:

• Bruninghaus suspension
• Offset ladders.

Livery:

• BR Railfreight flame red and grey
• HEA TOPS code
• Authentic colours and fonts
• Semi-gloss finish
• Era 8.

History:

Following the successful conversion of a number of ‘HBA’ hoppers to run on Bruninghaus suspension, large numbers were similarly converted during the early 1980s and reclassified as ‘HEA’ hoppers. This allowed their operating speed to be increased from 45mph to 60mph. By March 1986, there were 1,972 of these wagons in service.