Pre-orders open for exclusive IIA-F sand wagons
The covered sand carrying IIA-F bogie hoppers are the latest wagons to be commissioned by Key Publishing from Revolution Trains, with an exclusive collection of six different numbered wagons set to be delivered in mid-2027.
Above: The IIA-F wagons are operated by GBRf on sand trains from Middleton Towers to glass works at Goole, Barnby Dun and Monk Bretton. The Class 69 fleet are regulars at the head of the daily trains. On June 28 2025 69003 leads 4L66 Goole Glassworks-March Down Sidings return empties at Glinton Junction on the approach to Peterborough. Mike Wild.
The first of the Greenbrier IIA type hopper wagons were introduced in 2008, with GB Railfreight (GBRf) ordering a batch of 41 IIA-Fs (international code Tanpps) with hinged roofs for the Sibelco Leziate sand traffic from Middleton Towers, Kings Lynn, to glass works at Goole, Barnby Dun and Monk Bretton in Yorkshire in 2017.
The IIA-Fs are formed into trains of 16 wagons with the usual motive power being GBRf Class 66 or 69 locomotives. Originally all were owned by wagon leaving company NACCO, but more recently part of the fleet has transferred to VTG Wagon Leasing, which has seen vehicles receive new branding.
Above: The Revolution Trains IIA-F sand wagons are exclusive to Key Publishing and will correctly model these 2017 introduced wagons.
The revenue-earning flows are from Middleton Towers to the glass works, but during Summer 2026 short rakes of six to ten wagons have been used for driving training turns with the new GBRf Class 99s on the East Coast Main Line between Peterborough and Doncaster and on the ‘Joint Line’ via Spalding and Gainsborough.
Above: The distinctive hinged hopper covers will be modelled on the IIA-F wagons.
The new IIA-Fs are being produced by Revolution Trains alongside its main range models of the IIA-B and HOA-B wagons. The IIA-Fs are exclusive to Key Publishing and will feature turned metal wheels, NEM coupling pockets with small tension lock couplings, optional buffer beam brake pipes, correct body details for the IIA-F wagons and the distinctive hinged roof covers. The TF25 low track force bogies will be modelled with brake blocks in line with the wheels, which run on 26mm pinpoint axles.
Above and below: The IIA-F wagons will be offered in both NACCO and VTG branded liveries, as seen on the sand workings from GBRf.
Tooling is now under way following completion of the CAD drawing phase by Revolution Trains.
Six running numbers will be offered on the IIA-F wagons – four with NACCO branding and two with VTG branding - with prices set at £47.95 per wagon. Pre-orders are open now through the Key Model World Shop with a £5 non-refundable deposit required per wagon.
Above: GBRf has a fleet of 41 wagons. All were originally leased from NACCO, but the fleet is now partially owned by VTG. 8170 0659 015-9 stands in the yard at Peterborough in September 2024. Mike Wild.
Visit shop.keymodelworld.com to place your pre-orders.