PCA V-Back Wagon
PCA V-Back Wagon
£20.00
Capture a truly distinctive piece of modern British rail freight history with this unpainted, highly-detailed model of the PCA (Pressurised Cement/Powder Wagon), universally known as the 'V-Back' or 'Vee Tank' due to its unique depressed-centre body profile.
This iconic wagon design was a common sight from the 1970s onwards and remains in service today. As a specialist powder carrier, its unique appearance makes it a standout component of any freight train. Your unpainted model offers the flexibility to be finished in any of the numerous liveries used for cement, chemicals, or other dry powder traffic.
This unpainted kit allows you to faithfully reproduce a high-capacity bulk powder carrier in the exact livery and era you desire.
TOPS Classification: The wagon falls under the PCA TOPS classification (Private Owner, Cement/Powder, Air-discharge). It follows the principles of the earlier 'Presflo' wagons but with increased capacity and modern running gear.
The V-Tank Design: The deeply recessed, 'Vee' shaped tank was an early design feature (first prototyped in 1966) that utilised gravity to help consolidate the dry powder cargo towards the central air-discharge chute. This process was assisted by compressed air to fluidise the powder, allowing it to be safely and rapidly unloaded at the destination silo.
Evolution: Built by various companies including Metro-Cammell, BREL, and later by French firms like CFMF and Fauvet-Girel (who produced a variant of this style), the PCA V-Back quickly replaced older powder wagons and became the backbone of the UK's bulk cement and powder logistics for nearly four decades.
The Modern Era: These wagons were designed for high-speed operation, built with robust air-braking systems and modern suspension (such as the Gloucester Floating Axle), making them ideal for recreating fast, heavy-haul block trains from the 1970s right up to the present day in the Railfreight, EWS, and modern privatised eras.
While most commonly associated with one specific material, this wagon type was adapted for any traffic requiring sealed containment and air-pressure discharge.
Cement: The primary cargo. Cement companies typically operated large fleets of these wagons in long, dedicated block trains between manufacturing plants (like Hope, Dunbar, or Ketton) and urban distribution terminals.
Dry Chemicals: Specialized variants were used for the transport of industrial dry powders, such as Alumina (used in aluminium production) and various other chemical compounds.
Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA): Used for carrying the fine powder by-product of coal-fired power stations, often used as an aggregate in the construction industry.
The PCA V-Back provides a fantastic array of livery options that span multiple eras and operators:
Company/Era | Typical Colour Scheme | Notes |
Blue Circle Cement | Plain Light/Mid Grey | The most prolific operator. Wagons often carried large 'Blue Circle' decals which sometimes faded to light grey shapes. |
Rugby Cement | Plain Light Grey | Often leased from Procor or VTG, featuring distinctive Rugby Cement branding. |
Castle Cement / Hanson | Plain Grey (often darker) | Modern operators of these wagons, sometimes leased from STS/VTG, reflecting later privatisation schemes. |
Chemical Traffic | White, Purple, or Turquoise | Used by specialist firms (like Albright & Wilson or Lever Brothers) for non-cement powders, providing bright, eye-catching colours. |
Plain/Leasing | Unbranded Light Grey | Simple, plain grey is prototypical for wagons in a common pool or leased from companies like VTG/STS/CAIB. |