KRM-TOR-OO-DC Pair of Torpedo Molten Iron Ore Wagons (Non-Rotating)

Scunthorpe Steelworks Torpedo Wagons

In the 1960s British Steel needed to improve and increase its Iron and Steelmaking facilities in Scunthorpe, the result of this was the anchor project. Work began on the project in the 1970s and part of this was new Torpedo wagons to carry the molten Iron from the Blast Furnaces to the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking plant.

 The Torpedo wagons built by Distington Engineering Company in Workington were built in 2 batches; the 1st arriving in 1973.

20 torpedoes were built for the Appleby Frodingham and Redburn works. A further 10 were built for Normandy Park works, these were fitted with airbrakes to enable the transport of Iron between Normandy Park and Appleby Frodingham works by crossing the Lindsey Light Railway.

Originally built to carry 250t of molten Iron at a temperature of 1480ﾟC. The torpedoes were later rebuilt in 1980 and the 1990s to raise this amount to 300t.

Still in use to this day, these wagons can often be seen from the Scunthorpe Steelworks rail tours with the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society.

Andrew Plumtree and Glenn Britcliffe – Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society.