Decauville wagon

A Decauville wagon[1] is a vehicle for rail freight transport, usually on 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) gauge track. It usually consists of a standard rectangular frame on which two axles are fixed without elastic suspensions. A container or other equipment is mounted on it depending on the goods to be transported. The most common type features a V-section tipper and is used for transporting bulk cargo such as sand, coal and ores. Other common types of Decauville wagons are those for the transport of logs, in this case two wagons, one for each end of the logs and without being hooked together, carry the logs fixed on forks that can rotate on a vertical axis. Other types are the railcars with reticulated case for peat and sugar cane or the railcars with tank for fuel, the railcars for bricks, which can enter directly into the cooking ovens, railcars for people, railroadcars service for the transport and laying of prefabricated tracks. During the First World War, they were also used in trench railways.

Construction of the Atlantic Wall fortifications in the 1940s

They may or may not be equipped with brakes or tow hooks, there are examples of electric self-propelled wagons or with combustion engines. Currently the Decauville railcar has evolved to become a vehicle, also with trolleys, with a continuous brake, an automatic coupling system and with devices for the automatic unloading of the transported goods.

There are also open wagons to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge attached to normal trams for example for the transport of sand to prevent ice on the route or materials necessary for the maintenance of the lines.