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Hopper WagonsHoppers are a variation on the normal mineral wagon, but designed exclusively to unload by releasing doors at the bottom, discharging the entire load through a gap between the rails without the need for shovelling, or tipping the wagon. The idea was particularly prevalent in the North East of England, but was never as common elsewhere. Early hoppers were all timber, evolved from a standard coal wagon by providing a floor that sloped steeply from the ends to the centre. Later, much larger 20 ton designs were used on the London & North Eastern Railway, and during World War Two a steel design was developed which was mass produced by British Railways.In the North Staffordshire area hopper wagons were used for iron ore brought in for iron and steel making, and in internal use at a few locations. However, nationally they are an important part of the industrial railway scene, and at Foxfield can be seen a variety of old and newer examples: Shelton
20 ton coke hopper wagon, last number SIS 969
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