IPA Single-Deck Car Carrier Profile and Models

IPA Single-Deck Car Carrier

IPA-A 23 87 4385 001-4 at Leamington Spa in April 2019. ©Hugh Llewelyn

The original IPA wagons were orginally produced in France as double deck car carrying wagons. Upon the opening of the Channel Tunnel, a demand was created for wagons that could carry cars between Britain and mainland Europe. The existing wagons were out of gauge for the UK and newer designs of cars were proving to be too large to fit onto double decks. The answer was to remove the double deco body and add new, Channel-tunnel compliant sides whilst retaining the original chassis and running gear. These wagons were introduced into service with RfD and were subsequently taken on by STVA UK in 1996. Modifications have been made to some wagons, including the fitment of side stakes and in some cases, full canvas sides and a roof to protect higher value vehicles, such as those produced by Jaguar Land Rover. Much of these wagons are still in use to this day.

(Information provided via Revolution Trains)

Type of Vehicle

Car Carrying Wagon

Original Builder/ Dates

SNAV, France (1960s)

Rebuilt by

Arbel Fauvet, France
SC Reva, Romania

Rebuild Dates

1990s

Wheel Configuration

4-wheels per wagon
(Run in sets of 2 or 4)

Operated By

EWS
DB Cargo
STVA UK

Main Duties

Car Transport

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

All in service

 

OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)