Bogie Sheep Vans/Wagons.

Modelling the 1960’s and growing up in Western Queensland, the layout most have sheep wagons. I recall as a boy sitting on the front fence watching sheep being moved on foot to the railway trucking yards. Just in well everyone had a front fence, the street was wall to wall with sheep with drovers on horseback with their dogs driving hundreds of sheep down our street. It was interesting them they reached the level crossing gates, just a small opening they had to pass through, the sheep would go round and round, but not one would go over the level crossing. The drovers had their work cut out until one made the break and went through. 

The next day at the trucking yards a string of “N” vans would be placed on the end loading ramp. After all end ramps were down and gates were opened, loading would commence. Sheep needed to push through all the wagons to fill the leading wagon, often a dog would be place in the wagons to help persuade the sheep to move from wagon to wagon. There was lots of noise with dogs barking and drover yelling and whistling. Once all wagons were loaded, all doors were closed, and the ramp secured in the up position. Before departure, all eight (8) gates on each wagons had to be check by railway employees and sealed. Often a Lad Porter was given the job and he sealed the wagons on the move during the shunting. I recall give the Porter a hand at times, we would stand between the wagons with one foot on the coupling and the other on a buffer head hanging on with one arm hooked around a bar, sealing the doors as the shunt engine pulled the wagon up into the yard. Sealing wagon doors was covered back in MG wagon Blog January 2018.  

Yes, they were tuff times with most trees in the area on their sides having been pulled or pushed over for stock feed, one of the state’s worst droughts. Moving starving stock to the coast tested QR resources and required some different means in rollingstock utilisation.   

Seeing the state of the land at that time was devastating and working with people who lived and worked the land for a living had a huge influenced on me to have a career in the railway.  

NB Sheep Vans.

NB Sheep Guard Vans is another unique example of a “wagon” that come “Guard’s Van” in Commissioner Evens’ time in office. You may recall the “CB” Guards Van back in September 2022 blog posting regarding “Save Weight” vans on the QR network. 

The vans were as such that they could be loaded with the rest of the train if placed on the end. Sheep wagons having both end and side loading gates allow wagons to be placed for loading without the need of an engine to load the train. With the ends open the whole train could be loading from one end or side gate. 

The carrying capacity was shown as 130 sheep.

You may notice the bar arrangement along the side did vary a bit, possibly the older wagons had the bars to the floor.  

Some running number 650 656 2855 3829 3920 12336 – 12345   21781 – 21783

Blow is a few history notes on the class. 

NB 650

Date	Work	Remarks
Dec 1882 ?	M Sheep wagon (25’)	Griffith Bros.
Nov 1912	Altered from MN (32’)	Ipswich W/s
July 15	Condemned	Ipswich
Jan 17	Rebuilt NB	Ipswich W/s
Jan 1950	Drovers compartment Improvements Levick Wash Basin – standard porcelain pedestal, hinged table, roof water tank, Fixed partition between Guards and Drovers compartments. Already fitted with two dunks, lockers below seats, water & tumbler holders, coat hooks	Ipswich W/s
Jan 1950	Fitted with toe rails and improved grids	Ipswich W/s
Nov 50	Repaired Com-Eng	Rocklea
Feb 55	Badly smashed in collision Mt Morgan deviation.
Jun 55	Written off

 NB 656

Date	Work	Remarks
Mar 1883	M Sheep wagon (26’ over H/stocks)	Griffith Bros
Aug 1912	Altered to MN (32’ over H/stocks)	Ipswich W/s
July 15	Condemned	Ipswich
Jan 17	Rebuilt NB	Ipswich W/s
Sep 51	Drovers compartment Improvements Levick Wash Basin – standard porcelain pedestal, hinged table, roof water tank, Fixed partition between Guards and Drovers compartments. Already fitted with two dunks, lockers below seats, water & tumbler holders, coat hooks	Ipswich W/s
Nov 80	Written off  ND

 NB 3829

Date	Work	Remarks
June 1896	N wagon	Burns & Twigg R’ton
Apr 20	Rebuilt NB	Ipswich W/s
Jan 1950	Drovers compartment Improvements Levick Wash Basin – standard porcelain pedestal, hinged table, roof water tank, Fixed partition between Guards and Drovers compartments. Already fitted with two dunks, lockers below seats, water & tumbler holders, coat hooks	Ipswich W/s
Jan 1950	Fitted with toe rails and improved grids	Ipswich W/s
Oct 72	Fitted with floor supports	Toowoomba
Jan 1979	Written off	Tville

 NB 11906

Date	Work	Remarks
Mar 1913	N Wagon	Ipswich W/s
Dec 15	NB Van. Drover & Guard same end. Angle Iron Bogie fitted Guard’s end.	Ipswich W/s
Sep 24	Fitted with screw brake.	Ipswich W/s
Nov 81	Condemned

 NB 11909

Date	Work	Remarks
Mar 1913	N Wagon	Ipswich W/s
Feb 16	NB Van. Drover & Guard same end. Angle Iron Bogie fitted Guard’s end.	Ipswich W/s
Dec 78	Condemned	Tve

 

NB 12336

Date	Work	Remarks
Mar 1913	NB Wagon (Sheep van with caboose)Capacity 140 sheep	Shillito & Sons Ipswich
Nov 20	Fitted with Drovers compartment Capacity 130 sheep	Ipswich W/s
May 56	Drovers Compartment Modernised	Ipswich W/s
Feb 87	Condemned

NB 12338 In Service Jan 1913, Witten off 1935.

NB 12339 was rebuilt Ipswich W/s Mar 1945. Condemned Mar 79 

NB 12341 In service June 1913, Drovers Compartment add Apr 21. New body fitted Ipswich Aug 45. Damaged in collision Oct 45, Written off Ipswich W/s Dec 45.

NB 12342 In Service Jun 13, Drover’s compartment fitted Ipswich Oct 18. Condemned Nov 79.

NB 12343 In Service Nov 13, Drover’s Comp fitted Mar 21, Rebuilt Mar 50, Condemned Mar 68 Tve.

NB 12344 Rebuilt Feb 1946, Derailed & damaged ND, Written off Oct 57.

NB 12345 In Service Nov 1913, Drover’s comp fitted Apl 21, Repaired Ipswich W/s incl new roof Apr 55. Condemned July 81 Townsville. 

NB 21781

Date	Work	Remarks
Mar 1947	NB Wagon (Guards & Drovers Comp) Capacity 130 sheep	Ipswich W/s
Apl 81	Condemned	Ipswich W/s

NB 21782, In Service Mar 47, Ipswich. Condemned ND Jun 81.

NB 21783 In Service Apr 47, Ipswich.  Condemned Ipswich Jan 82. 

The vans were painted “Red Oxide” to 1969, same as the sheep and cattle wagons and grey after that. 

NWB Guards Vans.

The NWB wagons were converted from the “W” – “MTW” family of wagons. The carrying capacity was shown as 156 sheep.

The sides did vary a bit from wagon to wagon, there was also one with bar sides like the NB wagons. NWB 136 was reported at Dalby on 3^rd January 1982 fitted with bars, ARHS Qld “Sunshine Express

30^th June 1960 Commissioners Report showed the following Livestock wagons in service.

Cattle Wagons 1,433 (IC – 212, K – 1,056, KS – 100, HK – 57)

Cattle Brake Wagons 107 (KKB – 106, KB – 1)

Sheep Wagons 635 (L – 178, LJ – 50, MG – 127, N – 260, NW – 11 shown as underframes, NM – 9 Northern Division (ND) only.

Sheep Brake Wagons 27 (NB – 18, NWB – 9)

Horse Boxes – 2.

Note:- Total number of wagons and break down of numbers in each class were taken from separate sections of the report. ?? 

NM wagons. Nos 3230 – 3241 were built by Queensland Car Co in Nov 1885 for the Great Northern Railway. The wagons were fitted with Westinghouse brakes in 1913.

At first these wagons only has side loading gates.

3230 – Written Off Jun 1980 ND.

3231 – Written Off Dec 1984 ND

3232 – Written Off Jan 1967 ND

3233 – Written Off Jan 1981 ND

3234 – Converted to N wagon 1926, Modified to NA wagon Jul 1979. Written Off Mar 1991.

3235 – Written Off Aug 1940.

3236 – Written Off Mar 1940. Converted to LH, 14 ft. over headstocks Ipswich 1942, Reclassed L wagon Mayne 1949. Written Off Wacol Oct 1958.

3237 – Written Off Rockhampton Dec 1949.

3238 – Destroyed in collision at Palmwoods.  Written Off Oct 1956.  

3239 – “B” repairs Maryborough 1938, Repaired Napier Bros Dalby Mar 1957.

Written Off Jun 1980 ND

NM 3240 Written Off Dec 1984 Northern Division.

NM 3241 Gate locking device was modified Feb 1981 ND, Written Off Dec 1984 Northern Division. 

Note the different side bars on the two wagons. 

At first the wagons carried 140 sheep, this was later updated to 150 sheep. 

N wagons.

N Wagons/Vans were 32 ft. long and 8 ft wide fitted with four (4’) Bar Frame bogies with 2’ 2” wheels. The Tare weight was around 9 Ton 7 cwt and carried around 10 ton. Capacity was 180 sheep. 

Over the years, the wagons were modified a number of times.

N 2085 as built with centre doors.

Bars on the sides and ends enclosed the full deck on both levels. Note the two dividers on each deck. 

3616 – 3623 built by Hancock Bros Ipswich for the Southern & Central Railway.

3631 – 3639 built by Phoenix Engineering & R.S. Co.  In service between Dec 1892 – Feb 1893.

3616 – modified to “NA” Aug 1978. Written Off Aug 1991.

3617 – modified to “NA” Aug 1986. Written Off Aug 1991.

3618 – modified to “NA” Jul 1978. Written Off Jul 1985.

3622 – modified to “NA” Apr 1074. Derailed Blackall Sale Yards Sep 1983. Written Off Oct 1987.

3639 – modified to “NA” Apr 1986. Written Off May 1990.

Westinghouse brakes were fitted in 1910. 

N 3633. Photo – 1987.  In service Dec 1893, Converted to NA Aug 1987, Written Off Nov 1988. 

NA 3622 Longreach. Wagon fitted with QR 24A bogies. 

3658 – 3677 built by Burns & Twigg Rockhampton in 1895.

3668 - modified to “NA” wagon May78 - QR 20 A bogies.

3670 - modified to “NA” wagon May73

3673 - modified to “NA” wagon June 79 - QR 4 Bogies.

3675 - modified to “NA” wagon Nov 78 - QR 24A bogies. 

N 3667. This wagon don’t look to have side gates. 

3816 – 3829 built by Burns & Twigg Rockhampton in 1896.

3816 – modified to “NA” May 1980. Written Off Jan 1986.

3818 – modified to “NA” Nov 1986. Written Off Apr 1988. 

NA 3828 fitted with QR 4 Bogies. 

3890 – 3903 built by Toowomba Foundry co. 1896.

3895 – modified to “NA” Nov 78 - QR 24A bogies.

3896 – modified to “NA” Oct 78 - QR 24A bogies.

3902 – modified to “NA” Dec 74. 

3914 – 3927 built by Phoenix Engineering & R.S. Co. 1896

3914 – converted to “NP” Toowoomba, Apr 1942, converted back to “N” wagon Townsville Feb 1944. Modified to “NA” Nov 1979. Written Off Jun 1985.

3917 – modified to “NA’ Mar 1986, Written Off CD Aug 1988. 

4393 – 4402 built by Phoenix Engineering & R.S. Co. 1897

4397 - modified to “NA” Aug, 77 - QR 20A bogies. Written off - Apr 1991.

4398 – modified to “NA” Aug 77 -  Qr 20A bogies. Written Off - Jun 1985.

4399 - modified to “NA” Nov 78 QR 24A bogies. Written Off Jun 1990.

4401 – modified to “NA” not roller bearings. Written Off – Aug 1991. 

9218 – 9257 built by F.G Hack Ipswich 1910

NA 9252 Toowoomba 1986. The wagon is fitted with QR 4 bogies on the L/H end and QR 5 bogies on the R/H end. 

9258 – 9267 built by Barbat & Sons Ipswich 1910. 

9765 – 9789 built by Ipswich Workshops in 1911.

9766 – modified to “NA” Aug 1977. QR 20 A bogies. Converted to “M wagon Dec 1981. Written Off Townsville Oct 1987.

9768 – modified to “NA” Nov 1979. Written Off Sep 1986.

9769 – modified to “:NA” Dec 1978. Written Off Feb 1984.

9772 – modified to “NA” Feb 1987, Written Off Mar 1990.

9774 – modified to “NA” Nov 1986. Written Off Oct 1988.

9777 – modified to “NA” Feb 1987. Written Off SWD Apr 87.

9779 – modified to “NA” Sep 1986. Written Off Fen 1987.

9780 – modified to “NA” Sep 1978, QR 24A bogies. Written Off Mar 1991.

9781 – modified to “NA” May 1974. Written Off Sep 1989.

9782 – modified to “NA” Jun 1979. Written Off Feb 1988.

9785 – modified to “NA” Apr 1986. Written Off Aug 1991.

9789 – Repaired Napier Bros Dalby Sep 1951. Repaired Com Eng Nov 1956. Written Off Nov 1986.  

N 9798 Ipswich April 1987 waiting to be scrapped/burn.

N 9798 Ipswich Apr 1987. History cards shows 9798 was a “UP” wagon converted to U in 1938 and written off in Aug 1960. The cards shows wagon N 9788 was wrongly numbered 9798 in Aug 1956.

NA wagon with a QR 4 bogie on the L/H end and a QR 5 on the R/H end.

Note the fixing of the red circle, different on the off side. 

10917 – 10926 built by Ipswich Shops 1913.

10917 – modified to “NA” Aug 1978. Written Off Dec 1987.

10918 – modified to “NA” Feb 1986. Derailed Corfield Nov 1985, Written Off Dec 1985.

10919 – converted to “NP” Toowoomba Apr 1942. Converted back to “N” Townsville Nov 1943. Modified to “NA” Mar 1986. Written Off ND Aug 1991.

10920 – modified to “NA” Jul 1982. Derailed Roma Street Sep 1987.

10921 – converted to “NP” Toowoomba Aug 1942. Converted back to “N” wagon Townsville Nov 1943. Toe boards fitted Toowoomba Apr 1949. Repaired Napier Bros Dalby Nov 1956. Toe boards modified Toowoomba Nov 1956. Modified to “NA” Aug 1979. Written Off CD Mar 1983.

10922 – as above for 10921. Modified to “NA” Jul 1979, QR 4 Bogies, Written Off May 1985.

10925 – modified to “NA” Jun 1986. Written Off Jun1990.

10926 – modified to “NA” Nov 1986. Written Off Jun 1981 Toowoomba. 

11904 – 11913 built by Ipswich Shops 1913

11907 – modified to “NA” Oct 1979. Written off Feb 1987.

11908 – modified to “NA” Oct 1979. Written Off May 1986.

11910 – modified to “NA” Aug 1985. Written Off Oct 1989.

11912 – modified to “NA” Apr 1987. Written Off Apr 1991.

11906 – converted to “NB” Dec 1915. Written Off Sep 1981.

11909 – Converted to “NB” Feb 1916. Written Off Oct 1978. ND.

NA Charleville. 

18863 18912 built by Ipswich Shops 1927

18863 – modified to “NA” Mar 1986. Written Off Jan 1991.

18865 – modified to “NA” Aug 1979. Written Off Apr 1991.

18866 – modified to “NA” Oct 1978. QR 24 A Bogies. Written Off Nov 1984.18673

18868 – Derailed Gore 1954. Damaged by Fire Marathon Dec 1955. Modified to “NA” Feb 1980. Written Off Aug 1991.

18870 – modified to “NA” Aug 1979. Written Off Mar 1984.

18873 – modified to “NA” Apr 1974. Written Off Jan 1991.

18874- Converted to “NP” Toowoomba Apr 1942. Converted to “N” Toowoomba Oct 1943.

Derailed Stamford Aug 1953. Converted “NA” Feb 1980. Written Off Nov 1980.

18875 -  modified to “NA” Aug 1977, QR 20A bogies. Written Off Aug 1991.

18877 – modified to “NA” ?? Written Off May 1989.

18878 – modified to SML wagon Aug 1971. Written Off  Jun 1987.

18879 – modified to “NA” Apr 1988. RICS introduction. Written Off Aug 1990.

18880 – modified to “NA” May 1973. Fitted with package type Roller Bearing (open axle box). Witten Off Jun 1987.

18883 – modified to “NA” Feb 1980. Written Off Jun 1987.

18885 – modified to “NA” Aug 1977. QR 20 A bogies, Written Off Jun 1990.

18886 – modified to “NA” Oct 1978. QR 24 A bogies. Written Off Aug 1987.

18887 – modified to “NA” Fer 1986. Written Off Oct 1987.

18888 – modified to “NA” Apr 1978. Derailed ND Nov 1985. Written Off ND Dec 1985.

18889 – modified to “NP” Townsville May 1942, converted to “N” Townsville Oct 1943. Modified to “NA” Feb 1987. Written Off Jan 1991.

18891 – modified to “NA” Feb 1987. Written Off Aug 1991.

18892 – modified to “NA” Oct 1979. Written Off Aug 1991.

18893 – modified to “NA” Mar 1980. Written Off Apr 1990.

18894 – modified to “NA” Jul 1978. Not roller bearing. Written Off Jan 1981.

18896 – modified to “NA” May 1979. QR 4 bogies. Written Off Jan 1991.

18897 – modified to “NA” May 1978. QR 20A bogies. Written Off May 1987

18898 – modified to “NA” May 1973. Package type roller bearings. Written Off Oct 1986.

18905 – modified to “NP” Tve May 1942, converted by to “N” Tve Feb 1944. Modified to “NA” Jul 1979. Written Off May 1995.

18908 – modified to “NA” May 1979. Written Off Toowoomba Oct 1987.

18909 – modified to “NP” July 42 Rockhampton, converted back to “N” wagon Toowoomba Oct 1943 with new body. Modified to “NA” Sep 1978. QR 24A bogies. Written Off Ipswich Jan 1985.

18910 – modified to “NA” Aug 1977, QR 20 A bogies. Written Off Oct 1986.

18912 – Written Off Townsville Oct 1963. 

NA wagon with QR 5 Bogies. The next wagon has QR 4 bogies. 

Not all modification to “NA have been shown, just select numbers from various batches. I guess there was a program to do it as funds became available with what was available. ARHS Qld “Sunshine Express” shows six (6) “N” wagons had been converted to “NA” for Winton traffic in 1974. This was the same time as KSA cattle wagons fitted with cast steel ride control bogies and KKB vans fitted with angle iron bogies had red circles added making them Express Freight wagons, lifting them from 60 Km/h to 80 Km/h rollingstcok. I’m not aware of any NB or NWB being rated the same, one end of these vehicle was fitted with bar frame bogie. I don’t recall any of the sheep vans being fitted with electric light. 

Sheep wagons don’t fair all that well in derailments. 

“N” Vans had a centre position dividing each deck into two compartments. The centre door was operated by a hand on the side.

The top deck the door is open, the handle is out and resting on the side of the wagon. The bottom door is closed. 

Sheep trains conveying sheep from western locations were mainly all bogie wagons. Wagons were held at Roma, Charleville, Emerald and Hughenden and may be Warwick between consignments. The four wheeled sheep/calf/pig wagons were mainly used on Branch lines, the Darling Downs and along the coast to convey small consignments to sales/meatworks. In the 1950’s/1960’s/1970’s most farms were small family farms that did a bit of everything, grow wheat, milked cows and had pigs. In the South West I recall pig and calf sale yards at Oakey and Warwick. In Toowoomba there was KR Darling Downs small goods and Unity milk and cheese factories. Wagons loaded on the Brisbane Valley branches, NCL and branches would come to Murarrie and Doboy.   

Profile Car No 4. This unique vehicle was based in Townsville. Profile cars were used in measuring clearances on the network. These was three very different cars based in Brisbane. 

NW Wagons. 

NW 2 - Built by Evans Deakins & Co, 13 Dec 1943. Body and floor added by Ipswich workshop. Converted to “W” wagon Toowoomba Sep 1950. 

NW 23 - Built by Evans Deakins & Co, Dec 1943. Body and floor added by Ipswich workshop. Converted to “W” wagon Toowoomba 1950. 

NW 28 – Built by Waddington & Co as “W” wagon Jul 1943. Converted to “NW” in Feb 1947 Ipswich. Converted to “W” wagon Townsville Aug 1950. 

NW 38 - NW 2 - Built by Evans Deakins & Co, 13 Dec 1943. Body and floor added by Ipswich workshop. Converted to “W” wagon Toowoomba Apr 1951. 

NW 40 - Built by Waddington & Co as “W” wagon Jul 1943 (Some History Cards suggest that buffers and drawgear was fitted by Evans Deakin before going to Ipswich for the timber floor to be added). Converted to “NW” in Jan 1947 Ipswich. Converted to “W” wagon Toowoomba Apr 1951. 

NW 50 – Built by Evans Deakins & co as “MTW” wagon. Converted to NW (body off NW 40) Toowoomba Apr 1952. Damage by fire Marathon (ND) Dec 1955. Converted to “MTW” Com Eng May 1956. 

NW 62 - Built by Evans Deakins & Co, Dec 1943. Body and floor added by Ipswich workshop. Converted to “NWB” wagon Ipswich Mar 1951. Converted to WR Ipswich Mar 1983. . 

NW 116 – Built by Evans Deakins & Co Feb 1944 as “MTW” wagon. Converted to NW (steel grids) using body off NW 203 Toowoomba Apr 1952. Derailed Stamford Aug 1953, Derailed Eurella (SWD) Aug 1957. Converted to MTW Townsville Jul 1963. 

Looking at over 500 history cards, most were covered back to W or MTW wagons in the early 1950’s, a few remained in service to the early 1960’s. This may explain why I don’t recall seeing any NW wagons.   

The carrying capacity was shown as 225 sheep. 

Train Loads.

1947 Supplement to Working Time Table 

Emerald – Rockhampton

PB 15 Engine = 9 K, 1 KB or 10N, 1NB. 

Ogmore – Rockhampton.

C19 – 28 K, 1 KB or 29N, 1NB

B17 and B 18¼ - 24K, 1KB or 25N 1NB.

AC 16 and C17 – 23K, 1KB or 24N 1NB.

C16 – 21K, 1 KB or 22N, 1NB.

PB15 – 14K, 1KB or 15N, 1NB. 

On the Charleville – Roma and Wallumbilla - Chinchilla sections, the load for PB 15 engines for through goods or livestock trains was 203 ton, about 10N, 1 NB. 

1967   Supplement to Working Time Table

Through Load Roma to Chinchilla 1170 DEL was 365 tons. (18 loaded wagons). 

Through Load Charleville to Roma 1170 DEL was 370 tons. 

1700, 1620 1600 the load was around  580 tons (29 loaded wagons). 

1749 on a small sheep train at Charleville.

1620 returning from Beaudesert  (Logan Village) 

A mixed cattle and sheep train approaching Woodhill on the Beaudesert Branch.

SWD loco 1707 on a sheep train near Veresdale on the Beaudesert Branch.

The canvas cover on the side was used to keep the star grass out. 

PSC Wagons.

During the early 1980’s, QR decided on an all steel rollingstock fleet. Wooden sheep wagons were replaced with steel container purchased from WGR mounted on WHE grain wagons cut down in 1989/90. At first the wagon was classed WSC wagons, ARHS Qld “Sunshine Express” indicated WSC 31330, later classified PSC was on the 14^th of March 1988 undergoing trails. The decks on the PSC wagons were a little higher than the wooden wagons resulting modification to loading ramps at selective locations. Rationalising of livestock loading locations commence some years earlier. With all trains being diesel hauled and with the relatively lighter weight of loaded sheep wagons, an extra vehicle for the guard and drover was not an issue. TDV steel guard’s vans provided accommodation for both guard and drover and the vans could be used on both sheep and cattle trains. On the introduction of Two Driver Operations (TDO) and later with Driver Only Operation (DOO), the van was moved to the front of the train. The wagons had a short life, by mid 1995 most containers were removed and stored on the ground at Toowoomba. The wagons were reclassed to PCEX. Given their low carrying capacity, the wagon was useless in general container traffic and were stored until scraped.   A few PSC wagons remained in service until about 2005 in pig traffic between Julia Creek/Richmond and Gympie (Banks Pocket), some of these wagons had water troughs added. By this time, there was very few trains they could be attached too, as most North Coast service were 100 Km/h runners. 

MG Sheep Wagons.

MG wagons I guess are four wheeled bogie wagons being fitted with Grover’s bogies. A Caintode Flats brass etch kit was built back in January 2018. More information can be found in a blog posting of that date. 

Included in that post was a number of sheep yard photos taken in South Western Queensland.

And, if there was a shortage of sheep wagons during time of drought, what about using “H” open wagons.

My guess, at locations with end loading banks theses wagon would be loaded at cattle yards. ???. I recall opening up Toombul one morning in mid-1969, when a train as above passed under the station office. 

 It looks like QR was not the only rail operator to used open wagons to move sheep. Southern Pacific used sugar beet cars around 1910 – 1919. 

1950 General Appendix.

Orders for train loads of livestock must include a “KB” or “NB”, as the case may be, for each train load, and orders for these classes of wagons must not be accepted when livestock is not being forward in train loads. If, however, for convenience of the Department, either of this class of wagon is used to meet an order of another class of wagon, then the charge for a “KB”, “KKB” or “NB” only can be made, but an endorsement to this effect must be made on the invoice. 

“NB” Vans working Sheep Trains for Lake Creek. To facilitate unloading at the meatworks, “NB” vans loaded for Lakes Creek must reach that station with the sheep compartment training. Station Master and Guards at loading stations must give this matter attention. 

Lamp Brackets on Brake-Van Wagons. A number of “KB” and “NB” and other vehicles have side lamp brackets only at the van end, and for the proper protection of the train the van ends should, wherever possible, be trailing.  

1962 General Appendix. Staff generally must exercise special care in the transport of livestock and do everything possible to avoid bruising. Care must be taken to avoid undue shunting. 

The times the animals are yarded and loaded must be shown on the invoice. 

Stock should not be over crowed in wagons. If it be considered that sufficient wagons have not been ordered, the matter should be pointed out to the loaders and the District Officer advised. 

Calves and pigs must not be loaded in the same tier of a livestock wagon unless they are effectively separated by a hurdle which must be provided by the consignor. When the hurdles are not provided by the consignor, the calves and pigs must be loaded in separate compartments and charged accordingly. 

Trucks containing livestock must be tightly coupled together. 

Wagons containing livestock must be as far as possible be marshalled towards the front of the train and not in the rear of empty and lightly loaded wagons. 

Wagons containing pigs attached to trains conveying passengers must be placed as far as possible from the passenger vehicles. 

To avoid delay in unloading, goods wagons should not be placed between vans of sheep. 

Drivers, by the steady running of trains and the avoidance of sharp jolts when starting and stopping, can assist in reducing bruising. 

Drivers should not blow the whistle, and should also avoid blowing off and opening cylinder cocks, when livestock trains are near, unless absolutely necessary and should be kept as far from other trains as circumstances will allow, and standing at platforms when passengers are about should be avoided whenever possible. 

Trains conveying of not less than 8N and 1 NB are not to stop at isolated sidings or stopping places, unless instructed by the Traffic Office, and will not shunt at stations unless time is allowed to do the work, or for the purpose of making up or reducing load. They must be given preference over all trains (excepting passenger trains). 

To avoid unnecessary stoppages, passengers should not be allowed to travel by livestock trains except exceptional circumstances, such as accident or serious illness. 

Special livestock trains can be made up to a full load with other loading. I.e. Empty fuel tank wagons were always given high priority transit back to the coastal terminals. 

Station-master, guards, examiners, and others must see that the sliding bars on sheep vans are kept in good order. The inside of the vans must be properly cleaned to enable bars to function.  

There was also a number of clauses on Stock Permits and procedures, plus movement of livestock across borders between tick and non-tick areas.  The coast side of the Great Diving Range is a tick area, west of that is a non-tick area. 

Drover’s Tickets.

A drover’s ticket may be issued to an attendant or drover in charge of each train load or each consignment of not less than 3 “K” wagons of cattle, 2 “K” wagons of horses, 2 “K” wagons of stud bulls or 3 ”N” vans of sheep on the condition that he accompanies and attends to the stock during conveyance by rail. Similarly, two drovers’ tickets may be issued for each train load of stock consisting of no less than 10 “K” and 1 “KB” or “KKB” wagons or 10 “N” and 1 “NB” vans. 

Application for drovers’ tickets must be made on a special form provided, one of which will be required for the forward journey and another for the return journey, One dollar ($1.00) must be paid for each ticket or the cost of an economy class single fare if cheaper between the station concerned for which a Book ticket must be issued, and same will be refunded on the ticket being delivered to an authorised officer of the Commissioner within 24 hours of the completion of the journey for which such ticket was issued. The drover’s ticket shall include a dog.

Two or more owners consigning stock together may obtain the benefit of the provisions of this clause provided they nominate an attendant for the purpose of attending to the whole of the stock. The sender of the preponderance of the stock shall have prior right to any ticket so issued.

A drover travelling in charge of not less than two “K” wagons of cattle, or two “N” vans of sheep, or their equivalent, may be issued an economy class return ticket at the single fare available for one week from the date of issue.

Goods and Livestock Rates Book effective from the 1^st July 1973 shows the cost of an “N” van from Charleville to Cannon Hill (782.02 Km) was $ 168.30 and a “NB’ and “NM” wagon was $ 134.75, that’s just under a $1.00 per sheep.

Steel Yards.  Central Western Queensland sheep yards were all steel construction, below is a couple photos from Barcaldine and Ilfracombe. 

Models. (Scale H0n3½ or H0n42) 

First up I made an NB van staring with a standard 32 ft. underframe, the norm for most of my wagons these days. 

Coupler boxes are built into the frame, this allows the bogies some side way swing and reduces the couple yoke size, reducing the cross swing in the coupling.

Kadee 158 whisker coupling are used.

To make out the shape of the coupler box lid, a scrap piece of .040” styrene is used for the 1mm measure. 

In an effort to have the uprights at equal distance apart, they were marked out on a square section of timber with a square. This also provide assistance in having the uprights square to the floor on the wagon.

Strips of balsa wood was cut to size were used as a spacer for the second deck floor. Uprights not square are noticeable.  

For the bars along the sides and ends I used Ratio “N” scale #245 GWR spear fencing. The idea was picked up when looking at Bob Harding “Mosquito Creek” layout. Bob had used it as a storm water grate.  

Some/most of the bars have flash on them, rubbing a hobby knife blade along each side does clean them up and gives a cleaner bar. It’s a bit fiddley and takes time, but worth the effort.  A brass strip was used to cut the bars to length, a chopping cut is required to assist in keeping the bars on the bottom rung.  

I did purchase four (4) packets of fencing hoping that would give me 2 “N” wagons, 1 “NM” wagon and the “NB” van fulfilling the requirements of the “Drover” ticket. The “N” wagons require more than one packet of fencing (4 spurs), that why I decided on the two shorties, NM and NB wagons. 

For some insane reason I decided to load the van with sheep?? Having sheep in the van does limit the use of the van on the layout, more or less it can only be used on loaded sheep trains. If the van was empty, it could be used on various other trains much the same as other vans. I have been counting sheep in my sleep ever since?? 

When I built the Caintode Flats “MG” wagon I found H0 scale sheep were too tall, I cut their legs down to get them into the wagon, they are white metal and make the wagon a little on the heavy side, that’s OK for just one wagon. If the construction method worked out OK, I would consider making a few more wagons to form a small sheep train. Talking about the problem with other modellers at the Armidale Convention a solution was found. One of our local Tuesday Nighter’s was in on the discussion and he had just purchased a 3 D printer. Looking through various programs available on line, he was available to scale down a print so the sheep would fit into the wagon. Thanks Kevin, just awesome, since he has been given other jobs by other modellers for animal loads for their wagons. To mix up the sheep so there would be some with different postures, some were purchased on eBay. I purchased AN8703B 100pcs HO Scale 1:87 UnPainted White Farm Animals Sheep Dog Shepherd for $18.69 plus $3.30 postage. They took about 8 weeks to arrive. Only about 45 of the 100 in the pack were suitable, adding three different postures. 40 were required for an “N” wagon, 10 per each compartment. The pack contained 3 shepherds, 20 sheep laying down, 15 that were too large and 15 dogs (all the same pose) I didn’t use. They must do things different in China, to have 15 dogs for 80 sheep?. The oversize ones I will use down the track. The sheep were left white, no weathering added. The reason being sheep heading for the meatworks may have passed through the shearing shed before loading. ??? 

The sheep were added after the wagons were painted and weathered. The sheep were glued to a strip of styrene which was passed through the open-end gates. Balsa wood strips painted white were added between the two strips of sheep on each side keep sheep up along the sides. Single sheep were added around the end gates to give a full load. The end gates were them added to complete the models. 

Yes, some sections of the model are not the best, I added toe batten to the floor, which was a mistake and will be left off any future wagons, they made additional work in more ways than one and in the finish they are not visible. Working with styrene strip the correct size is not always available, so there was some compromise.       

Angle iron bogies were used both ends, not as per the prototype, it saved splitting two set of bogies to have it correct.  

The ramp chain was cotton and was paint red to finish the model. 

Later models I used brown cotton.

Off cuts were used to make the gates. 

N Vans

NM Van.

MG Sheep Van.

More information can be found in a blog post January 2018. 

http://westgateswr.blogspot.com/2018/01/

To use up the other sheep from the eBay purchase I made up removable sheep loads for “H” open wagons

The oversize standing sheep had their legs cut down.

The laying down sheep were mounted on an elevated floor. White sheep didn’t look the part, thus were painted and weathered. 

Yeah well, I guess they look OK at 3 feet, not contest material, but as always you lean heaps in having a go. There will be more wagons down the track thanks to Ken Edge for his out of the box thinking and for arranging a one of bulk purchase of the fence panels from Peco. 

I guess in away, this blog is a tribute to the people who live and work the land so we can enjoy life. Thank You.  

Trust, you find the information helpful and assist you with your modelling ventures.  Construction method and materials can be used for any scale or prototype. 

It’s that time of the year again and the Brisbane Model Train Show is not that far away, 6^th and 7^th of May at the Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds. I guess I will attend sometime over the weekend. Looking forward to catch up with some of you for a chat and hearing of your modelling endeavours.   

Trust you all have a safe and happy Easter. 

Arthur H.

 

Acknowledgements.

Australian Model Railway Association Queensland Library

ARHS Qld Sunshine Express – various issues.

QR Plans

QR List of Rollingstock 1963.

Queensland Railway Commissioner Report.

Queensland Railway General Appendix’s

Queensland Railways “Goods and Live Stock Rates Book” 1^st July 1973.

Queensland Railways Supplement to the Working Tables

Queensland State Archives

Wooden Wagons of the Queensland Railways 1880 - 1980 by John Armstrong.