HUO steel mineral hopper Profile and Models

B334469 at Onllwyn in October 1992. ©Jamerail

British Rail introduced a new design of large coal hopper wagon in 1954 in the form of the HUO (or HOP24) 24.5 ton wagon. A number of these were built to various diagrams in the late 1950s and early 1960s and were used for the transport of coal and coke throughout Britain until the 1980s, with many making their way onto industrial and private railways upon retirement with BR.

Type of Vehicle	Hopper Wagon
Builder	British Rail
Build Dates	1954 to 1963
Total Built	5,263
Wheel Configuration	4-wheel
Operated By	British Rail National Coal Board Private Owner
Main Duties	Coal Transport
In Service Until	1980s (BR) Some used later in private use
Surviving Examples	Some in preservation