CDA China Clay Hoppers - O Gauge

We have comissioned in O Gauge the CDA China Clay Hoppers synonymous with the current Kernow China Clay Scene, seen working from various clay works / dries to the docks at Carne Point, Fowey.

British Rail introduced a fleet of 125 CDA hoppers to carry china clay from Kernow/Cornwall in 1987. They were built at BREL Doncaster works and based on the HAA Merry-Go-Round coal hopper wagons with the addition of a rolling roof, and associated operating mechanism, to protect the china clay being carried inside. A further batch of 15 were converted from existing HAA hoppers in 1989.

The CDAs replaced a number of older designs of smaller open-end tipper ‘clayhood’ wagons. Much of the traffic was destined for export through the docks at Fowey, but also to Staffordshire (for use in pottery) and Scotland (primarily for paper mills). They have been operated by British Rail for English China Clays PLC (ECC), English, Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS) and many continue in operation on their original duties for their current operator DB Cargo.

Pictures above taken at Lostwithiel, copyright C Trerise


Class 37/5 Diesel Locomotive number 37 674 passes Lostwithiel with a train of CDAs for Fowey on 4th October 1989


Class 37/4 Diesel Locomotive number 37 417 named "Highland Region" at Liskeard with a train of CDA China Clay Hopper Wagons from Moorswater heading for Carne Point on 13th August 1991

Class 37/5 Diesel Locomotive number 37 671 named "Tre Pol and Pen" passes Par with a train of CDA China Clay Hopper Wagons from Fowey to Parkandillack on 6th November 1996.
Class 37/5 Diesel Locomotive number 37 668 passes Lostwithiel with a train of CDA China Clay hopper wagons bound for Fowey on 21st June 1999

The Models

The Kernow Model Rail Centre Exclusive highly detailed CDA models in 0 Gauge are being produced for KMRC by Dapol and are based on their HAA model with the additional CDA rolling roof and operating mechanism added.

The models feature a highly details and accurate body and chassis, sprung metal buffers, sprung metal coupling hook and metal screw link coupling and fine profiled wheels running in brass bearing pockets.

Initially fourteen livery versions to cover the CDA hopper entire working life to date, priced at £74.95 each, are available:

7F-048-KER1 CDA Wagon Blue, ECC branded.  As Built 1987 to 1990s No. 375029 - Era 8

7F-048-KER2 CDA Wagon Blue, ECC branded.  As Built 1987 to 1990s No. 375031 - Era 8

7F-048-KER3 CDA Wagon Blue, ECC branded.  As Built 1987 to 1990s No. 375080 - Era 8

7F-048-KER4 CDA Wagon, Blue non ECC branded. Mid 1990s No. 375030 - Era 8/9

7F-048-KER5 CDA Wagon, Blue non ECC branded. Mid 1990s No. 375022 - Era 8/9

7F-048-KER6 CDA Wagon, Blue non ECC branded. Mid 1990s No. 375062 - Era 8/9

7F-048-KER7 CDA Wagon, Blue non ECC branded. Mid 1990s No. 375015 - Era 8/9

7F-048-KER8 CDA Wagon, Maroon EWS Branded. Late 1990s to mid 2000 No. 375037 - Era 9/10

7F-048-KER9 CDA Wagon, Maroon EWS Branded. Late 1990s to mid 2001 No. 375088 - Era 9/10

7F-048-KER10 CDA Wagon, Maroon non branded. 2010s No. 375008 - Era 10

7F-048-KER11 CDA Wagon, Maroon non branded. 2010s No. 375085 - Era 10

7F-048-KER12 CDA Wagon, Maroon non branded. 2010s No.375082 - Era 10

7F-048-KER13 CDA Wagon, Maroon DB Branded. 2017 onwards No. 375009 - Era 11

7F-048-KER14 CDA Wagon, Maroon DB Branded. 2017 onwards No. 375003 - Era 11

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