Wagon Report
Compiled by Steven Fredrick Lappage
AN interesting Anglo-Scottish freight flow is the transport of alumina powder.Trains run from North Blyth bulk terminal in Northumberland to the Lochaber smelter at FortWilliam on theWest Highland line.This is now the only location producing aluminium in the UK following the closure of a sister smelter at Lynemouth.
Stock for the services comprises 38 PCA two-axle ‘Presflo’hoppers, Nos. BAHS 55531/532/535/537-540/542547/549/550/552-556/559573, built by Powell Duffryn (Cardiff) in 1987-88 to design code PC 020A.
Although similar to the PCA ‘Metalair’dry powder tank developed by Powell Duffryn for Blue Circle Cement, the wagons were subject to design changes to make them more suitable for the restrictions of theWest Highland route.