The iconic HAA in 4mm

During the 1960s to satisfy the growing demand for electricity, a construction programme of a new generation of power stations was undertaken, as part of the upgrade of the National Grid. Initially seven of the new generation 2,000 MW (2GW) power stations were to be built. These new power stations would require a continuous delivery of large quantities of coal to satisfy the appetite of these new electricity generating sites. To meet this rising demand for coal, a more efficient way of moving coal from colliery to power station was required. The existing fleet of wagons were no longer fit for purpose and so a new design of high capacity wagons was required for the future movement of coal. The Merry-go-Round concept was born.

The basic principle was for the train to be loaded at the colliery and unloaded at the power station without the need for stopping. It was envisaged that the train would carry some 2,000 tons of coal between colliery and power station.

What followed was the building of over 11,000 air-braked 32 ton coal hopper wagons which entered service that could operate a non-stop service from collieries to these new power stations. These new wagons were known as 32 AB HOP and latterly TOPS codes followed, with the standard 45 mph when loaded wagon, being coded HAA.

These iconic wagons saw continued service from the 1960s right up until withdrawal in 2009.

Cavalex HAA in OO

We are delighted to announce that in collaboration with KMS Railtech and Trains4U, we will be producing a newly tooled HAA family of hopper wagons in 4mm scale. The idea behind our HAA project first came about at a show last year (late 2019) when a customer of ours suggested this iconic wagon. From that point on we received more suggestions for this wagon and we started on the design early in 2020.

Numerous trips to Knottingley depot were made to ensure we captured the iconic wagon’s shape and features.

As a company we are very keen to embrace new technology and innovation to aid the development of our projects. Using a drone to photograph the inside of the HAA allowed us to capture all the fine details of the inside of the hopper to be included on our model.

Our thanks to DB Cargo West Yorkshire Area Management Team for their help with this project, we are extremely grateful. The model is already significantly advanced and at the tooling stage of the process. Below are some 3D renders of the HAA design.

The wagon will incorporate the following features, as standard on a Cavalex Models’ product:

• Highly detailed underframe

• Zinc alloy chassis

• Easy conversion to P4/EM, with 26mm axles used as standard

• NEM coupling pockets, including NEM blanking plates for instanter use

• Sprung buffers

The Cavalex HAA range

HAA Railfreight livery

HAA Coal sector livery

HAA EWS livery

HFA Coal sector livery

HFA EWS livery

These models are due to arrive in the UK Q3 2021.

The HAA and HFA will both be available in triple packs with individual running numbers and can now be pre-ordered direct from KMS Railtech and Trains4U.

These models are exclusive to Trains4U and KMS Railtech and cannot be ordered through any other retailer.

www.kmsrailtech.co.uk / Pre order the Cavalex HAA, and KMS exclusive HAAs here

www.trains4u.com / Pre order the Cavalex HAA, and Trains4U exclusive HAAs here

Please visit the above websites for further information and details of these triple packs.

HAA derivatives

CDA

In the mid-1980s a plan was devised to replace the ageing fleet of vacuum braked wagons used for the Cornish china clay traffic. A replacement wagon type was sought and following the success of the HAA design for coal traffic it was decided to trial a converted HAA wagon for use with china clay. The trial wagon was re-coded to CDA and fitted with a roller sheet cover. An order was placed for a fleet of 124 new wagons which were to be built at Doncaster. The design was essentially the same as the HAA except for the roller sheet cover and ventilators at each end to aid discharge without the need to open the cover. A further 14 wagons were converted from HAA's to increase the fleet and also re-coded CDA.

Some of these wagons are still in service today, as can be seen by the photo below.

Following our announcement about our forthcoming HAA model and subsequent variants, we are now pleased to show some 3D renders of our CDA wagon design. The CDA is being tooled alongside the HAA and will be released at the same time.

We are delighted to announce that we have been granted permission from Deutsche Bahn AG to produce our CDA wagon in the DB livery.

CDA UPDATE - OPEN FOR PRE-ORDERS

We are pleased to announce that pre-orders are now open for our CDA china clay wagon.

The CDA will be available in both English China Clays Ltd and DB liveries with individual running numbers and can now be pre-ordered directly from KMS Railtech and Trains4U.

These models are exclusive to Trains4U and KMS Railtech and cannot be ordered through any other retailer.

www.kmsrailtech.co.uk / Pre order the Cavalex HAA, and KMS exclusive HAAs and CDAs here

www.trains4u.com / Pre order the Cavalex HAA, and Trains4U exclusive HAAs and CDAs here

Please visit the above websites for further information and details of these models.

Original bodied HAA and HCA

The original galvanised steel body version, as well as the lime carrying CBA, will follow soon after the initial releases of the HAA and CDA.

HAA Project update - June 2021

We have received painted samples for review, please click the below button for the full update: