Modelling GWA’s AHGX grain hoppers

The AHGX grain hopper is iconic and has been operated in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Of the original 132 built, Australian Southern Railroad had 122 AHGXs. A substantial part of the fleet was sold off to the Manildra Group in 2003 and to QR National as part of the Australian Railroad Group split-up in 2006, now named Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA).

There were 31 members of the class in GWA ownership. These were fairly beaten up; various repaints and rough handling had taken their toll. The more capable CGAYs were handling the lion’s share of the grain haulage task for GWA.

However, there was an operation that suited the AHGXs: the Loxton (Tookayerta) and Pinnaroo lines. The use of lighter