In 1979 the railways sent two new ELX_ type underframes to Portec, Villawood, Sydney for fitting out with sleeper discharge equipment.
The sleepers (ties) were loaded in vertical rows. A hydraulic "kicker" pushed the bottom sleeper of a row out the side. When a row was finished, the "kicker" moved on to the next row. This equipment was to replace the manual unloading usually done from various open wagons.
Unfortunately the system did not work too well and it was not until the mid 1980's that the method was refined.
This writer believes that a lot of problems stem from the difference between VR sleepers and ties used in North America. Victorian sleepers are hardwood and are sawn on site in the bush by various subcontractors. This can lead to slight variations in length, height and width; not a problem with manual loading/unloading. The U.S. ties on the other hand are generally of softwood and are sawn in a mill where dimensions can be uniform.
Concrete sleepers are handled by other methods.
This method of sleeper discharge was written up in the VR Newsletters about 1959.
During March 1989, these two wagons were reclassed to VZOY 1, 2.
In June 1990, VZOY 1, 2 were reclassed to VZSF 1, 2.
VZSF 1, 2 were in storage at Tottenham Yard from 1991 to 1997. During August 1997, they were moved from Tottenham Yard, destination unknown.
Photos for 'VOFY '
FileID Description................................................BR082 VOFY 1 - (r) end, with VOFY 2 (l) ends coupled, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]AW386 VOFY 1 - e1p, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]AW387 VOFY 1 - e1q, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BF811 VOFY 1 - interior from VOFY 2, Tottenham Yard, 13/9/1981, [oPJV]BG189 VOFY 1 - interior, from VOFY 2, Tottenham Yard, 13/9/1981, [oPJV]BK913 VOFY 1 - interior, ribbed sides, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]BS034 VOFY 1 - lettering/e2, with VOFY 2, part e2, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BX609 VOFY 1 - part ldd sleepers/wood end stops, Arden Street Sidings, 12/10/1980, [oPJV]BB467 VOFY 1 - s1, VR, with VOFY 2, North Melbourne C&W, 20/8/1984, [oPJV]BR081 VOFY 1 - s1p, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]BB466 VOFY 1 - s1p, VR, North Melbourne C&W, 20/8/1984, [oPJV]BB482 VOFY 1 - s1q, North Melbourne C&W, 20/8/1984, [oPJV]BR080 VOFY 1 - s2 unlettered, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]CQ941 VOFY 1 - s2e1, Tottenham Yard, 13/9/1981, [oPJV]BG188 VOFY 1 - s2e1, empty, Tottenham Yard, 13/9/1981, [oPJV]AW369 VOFY 1 - s2e2, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BK909 VOFY 1 - test train, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]DR633 VOFY 1 - underframe, North Melbourne C&W Shops, 12/7/1980, [oPJV]BK915 VOFY 1 - wagon to wagon track join, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]BR082 VOFY 2 - (l) end, with VOFY 1 (r) ends coupled, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]BR077 VOFY 2 - e2p unlettered, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]BR078 VOFY 2 - e2q unlettered, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]BR079 VOFY 2 - interior, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]BF813 VOFY 2 - interior at end, Tottenham Yard, 13/9/1981, [oPJV]BG189 VOFY 2 - interior, across to VOFY 1, Tottenham Yard, 13/9/1981, [oPJV]BK914 VOFY 2 - interior, ribbed sides, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]BS034 VOFY 2 - lettering/e2, with VOFY 1, part e2, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]AW371 VOFY 2 - lettering: ..door..open.. , North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]AW373 VOFY 2 - lettering: ..pins.. , North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BB467 VOFY 2 - part view, North Melbourne C&W, 20/8/1984, [oPJV]BB465 VOFY 2 - s1, VR, North Melbourne C&W, 20/8/1984, [oPJV]AW349 VOFY 2 - s1: logo/lettering, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BS033 VOFY 2 - s1e2, North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BR076 VOFY 2 - s1q unlettered, North Melbourne C&W, 9/12/1980, [oPJV]BK910 VOFY 2 - test train, s2e1, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]BY319 VOFY 2 - underframe, North Melbourne C&W Shops, 12/7/1980, [oPJV]AW384 VOFY 2 - underframe stamp T W O , North Melbourne C&W, 7/1/1981, [oPJV]BK916 VOFY 2 - wagon to wagon track join/VWS frame, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]
No diagrams found for VOFY
No photos found for VZOY
No diagrams found for VZOY
Photos for 'VZSF '
FileID Description................................................AF352 VZSF - interior, (No.1), [oBXY]AF344 VZSF 1, [oBXY]AF334 VZSF 2, [oBXY]
No diagrams found for VZSF
File c142m compiled by Peter J. Vincent, updated 30/6/2007
