Beat The Monday Blues With Our New Cutdown HYA Run!
With the recent release of our highly acclaimed Class 66 locomotives, and the forthcoming release of run 2 of these locos (watch this space!), along with our first run of our lovely new Class 60, we thought we better prepare some trains to go behind them.
Up first is a wagon oft requested for a re-run at shows; our cutdown HYA wagons! This time they will make an appearance in the rather attractive dark blue livery these wagons have been finding themselves wearing in recent years.
Prototype History
The HYA/IIA family of bogie coal hoppers was one the most significant casualties of the doubling of the UK’s carbon tax from April 2015. Built by International Railway Services (IRS) in Romania and at WH Davis’ workshops at Langwith Junction, Shirebrook, for Fastline Freight and GB Railfreight between 2007 and 2013, the 368-strong fleet was the youngest in operation with some examples just two years old. While around a third of the newest vehicles were either outshopped or modified with top doors for biomass use, this left around 250 wagons with an uncertain future.
As coal volumes fell, examples were either stored or redeployed to carrying aggregates, which was not ideal because the denser nature of stone meant the wagons could only be partially filled. This made a full train inefficient compared to purpose-built hoppers. VTG Rail was the first to look at reducing the length of the wagons to make them more suitable, commissioning WH Davis to remove the centre bay, which equated to some three metres or so. The prototype, No. 371051, was released in February 2016 and by the middle of 2024 just 77 examples remained unconverted. Notably, all rebuilds are TOPS coded HYA, whether they started life as an HYA or an IIA, and from 2020 the programme also included former biomass versions made redundant by the arrival of higher-capacity IIA-D covered hoppers, also built by WH Davis.
From mid-2021, WH Davis outshopped the next 48 cutdown wagons, originally built for GE Rail Services/Fastline as IIAs but latterly operated by GBRf, with the bodyside above the lower angle change in ‘steel blue’, complete with Touax and GB Railfreight brandings. The rest of the wagon is black. This replaced the unpainted, patch painted and silver-grey finish seen on previous batches and instantly made them the classiest-looking members of the fleet. This image change was continued onto 371073-371080, released in 2022 in the same scheme, albeit with just the GBRf logos. They are mostly to be found behind the operator’s diverse range of Class 66s and can be found all over the UK working on behalf of Aggregate Industries (from Bardon Hill, Coton Hill and Grain), Cemex (from Peak Forest), and Tarmac (from Arcow and Rylstone).
In August 2022, WH Davis completed the first pair of blue-painted HYAs for VTG, they were followed by a batch of nine wagons – all ex-biomass – which were destined for use on Freightliner-powered Mendip Rail Services out of Whatley and Merehead quarries. A further batch of 25 VTG-owned IIAs was sent to Langwith Junction in November 2023 for length reduction, but these are currently in store at Gascoigne Wood. This leaves just two sets of original length IIAs in operation, one biomass for Drax services and one with the top doors removed for aggregates use.
The Model
A much requested model in this new livery, our second run of the cutdown HYA wagons represent these modified wagons from both HYA and IIA donors, with end detailing to reflect the parentage of their donors, just like the real thing! Each twin pack will come with individual markings, from unique running numbers to different branding depending on lessor of the wagons such as VTG or Touax.
We have revisited the wagons too, switching the tail light operation from a battery to track pick up to save any fussy changing of batteries and opening of ends. These will still be controlled by magnetic wand. We have also asked the factory to ensure our high demands of free rolling are met, with additional procedures in the quality control department being put in place for this production run too.
Want to build a rake of these? Well, you're in luck! There are 7 twin packs to choose from, and there will be a further bonus twin pack announced later this week, too! The initial 7 twin packs can be pre-ordered today via your local stockist, or direct via Accurascale using the link below. Priced at £84.95 per two wagons and £87.95 for tail light fitted packs, we are offering 10% off when you buy two packs or more, and an amazing 15% off when you order five or more packs!
So, what are you waiting for? Say hello to some Monday blues you would like! Click the link below an place your no money down pre-order today for delivery in Q3 2025.