Nomadic Trolley Preservation, Finally!!

Wickham Type R1389 Target Trolley No. 3030 – MOD No. RTT/767091

Press Release: 7 March 2022

We first became aware of this Wickham Target Trolley in early 2012, a couple of years before the formation of the Trust. And knew it had moved to the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum on Orkney around September 1996.

We contacted the Museum, and they were able to confirm that it was in their possession, and in return, we were able to provide them with some details about the Trolley, as follows:

• Wickham Type R1389 Target Trolley
• Wickham Works No.3030
• Gauge 60cm/2ft
• Shipped from Ware on 10 July 1941
• Shipped to the Eastern Command HQ, Shoeburyness, Essex
• Running No. RTT/767091

Trolley 3030 is now only a running chassis and armoured body, as at some point in its life its engine and other internal parts have been removed.

We contacted the Museum again in September 2014, to make them aware that the full set of brass plates (including the Works Plate) from this Trolley was for sale on eBay, as was the set for Works No. 3034. Both sets eventually sold for over £100 each.

Having, in late 2017, seen that the railway assets (excluding the Wickham) from the Orkney Museum had moved to a museum in Wales, we contacted the Orkney Museum in early 2018, to see what their plans were for the Wickham.

We are now pleased to advise that the Museum have kindly agreed to transfer the Trolley to the Trust. So later this year (2022), it will move from its site at Lyness in Orkney, to the Trust’s site at the Tanat Valley Light Railway in Shropshire. Initially, it will be cosmetically restored, but in the longer term, we may look to restore it with an alternative power and control system.

The Trust would like to thank the Orkney Museum for agreeing to transfer ownership to the Trust and especially to Ellen Pesci and Jude Callister, from the Museum, for their ongoing help & support.

Scapa Flow Museum is currently undergoing a refurbishment project valued at £4.4 million, comprising an extension to the Museum and refurbishment of its historic oil pumphouse. The project is supported by Orkney Islands Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the Orkney LEADER 2014-2020 programme, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, NatureScot and Museums Galleries Scotland. The museum will reopen at the beginning of July 2022.

[Both images show Wickham 3030 in "as found condition" by the Rail Trolley Trust (c) J.R. Flood]

Jonathan Flood

Chair, The Rail Trolley Trust
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes for Editors:

Unmanned vehicles of this type ran on self-contained layouts at a number of War Dept/MOD shooting ranges, including Lydd, Kent, Okehampton and Redesdale (Otterburn), Northumberland. The vehicles, powered by a two-cylinder J.A.P. petrol engine, carried large wooden or canvas representations of armoured vehicles (such as tanks) which were intended to be shot at by infantry and artillery troops being trained in anti-tank gunnery. At most ranges the track ran in a shallow cutting or was shielded by earth banks, thus protecting the trolley from stray projectiles.

The Rail Trolley Trust (TRTT) aims to purchase, restore & demonstrate a collection of rail trolleys and similar vehicles, as well as associated equipment and paperwork.

Please Help Us

Obviously, both vehicles will require a lot of work, so once again, we ask for donations to our ongoing appeal.

Currently giving is by electronic Bank Transfer, which means we do not pay any charges, so every penny of your donations goes directly to the Trust.

Our Bank Account details are as follows:

The Rail Trolley Trust
30-98-90
17492768

Alternatively, you can make a contribution to our Rescue, Restore and Operate fund on Givey by clicking this link that takes you straight to the donations page: https://www.givey.com/trtt

LINKS:

Scapa Flow Visitor Centre & Museum
Tanat Valley Railway
Lydd

Created: 4 March 2022
Modified: 5 November 2022