The GY wagons were originally painted a usual Victorian Railways red and from 1948 a diagonal yellow stripe differentiated them from identical-looking but non-grain-proofed HYs. From 1970, GYs were progressively painted ‘Hansa yellow’.
The GY was probably the most recognisable wagon class on the Victorian Railways network because of sheer numbers. When not hauling wheat they carried a variety of loads including containers, farm equipment and superphosphate.
One of the most common sights in the Wimmera was long rakes of GYs, sometimes including up to 73 wagons, hauling a wheat harvest across the region.
The grain industry used the wagons to haul grain from distant concrete silos from areas such as Kaniva, Yaapeet and Patchewollock to Murtoa Stick Shed for storage. It then used the wagons to transport the grain to ports at Geelong and Portland for export.
Murtoa Stick Shed management committee secretary David Grigg said the group was excited by the arrival of the wagons.
“They have played a very significant role in the history of the grains industry in Victoria,” he said.
“We thank Seymour Railway Heritage Centre for making the wagons available and former Murtoa resident and railway enthusiast Richard Parker for his assistance in gaining them for us.”
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