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These wagons were originally built as Coal Hoppers (mainly HTV), but a surplus of such wagons in the early 1980s led to their withdrawal. This coincided with a requirement for ‘new’ civil engineers ballast and spoil wagons to replace the elderly Grampus open wagons and second-hand 16-ton minerals wagons then in use. A programme was therefore put in hand to convert more than 2000 such wagons into ‘Clam’, ‘Rudd’ and ‘Tope’ wagons.
The ‘Rudd’ variant involved the fitting of a new box body with drop-side doors, and also air brakes. 800 of these were converted by Marcroft Engineering of Stoke (wagon numbers DB 972000-DB 972399) and C C Crump of Connah’s Quay (wagon numbers DB 972400-DB 972799).
The ‘Rudd’ type was particularly long-lasting, with more than 200 still in use at the start of 2008. The SVR has acquired a number of ex-BR ‘Rudd’ Ballast Wagons. They have a 21 ton capacity, and are used for moving ballast, waste ash and similar materials.
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!Number !! Originally built !! Originally built by!! Original number !! Rebuilt !! Wagon Survey !! Notes
