Securing the long-term future for early Wickham Type 17 Trolley No. 590
LNER Plant Number 185, Later Running Numbers DE950021
Press Release: 30 January 2022
In early 2017, the Trust was approached by one of the Directors of the North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Ltd, about the Wickham Trolley they owned and specifically about some issues they were having with getting the JAP V Twin engine running reliably.
Over the following years, communication continued between NSRC and the Trust. In April 2018, the NSRC decided that for various reasons, including a lack of covered accommodation and infrequent shed facilities at their home line, the Trolley needed to be moved elsewhere, so its refurbishment could be completed.
The Trust were not able to immediately assist, as we had no suitable space available at the time, but we stayed in contact over the following 3-4 years and through the pandemic. When we set up our second site at the Tanat Valley Light Railway (TVLR), we advised that we were now able to offer the Trolley a safe future.
Yesterday (29/1/22), the Trolley moved from Cheddleton to the TVLR, near Oswestry to join The Rail Trolley Trust – Shropshire Collection. We look forward to completing the refurbishment of the Trolley, perhaps by the Trolley’s 90th Birthday in July.
The original details of this Trolley were:
- Wickham Type 17 Trolley
- Wickham Works Number: 590
- Shipped from Ware on 12 July 1932
- Shipped to the LNER at York
- LNER Plant No. 185
- >Running No. DE950021</li
The Trolley was originally fitted with a JAP 1100 V Twin Engine (Number LTZ/H 27326). This engine, like the vast majority of those used in Type 17 & 17A Trolleys in the UK, was at some stage replaced by a JAP 1323 V Twin Engine.
The Trolley was withdrawn by BR (ER) in November 1972 and was originally preserved at the Dinting Railway Centre circa March 1979. When the DRC closed in 1990, it moved to the Bahamas Locomotive Society’s (BLS) site at Ingrow on the K&WVR. Later it was sold by BLS to NSRC and moved to the Churnet Valley Railway in late 2008.
The Trust would be very interested in any photos of the Trolley, whilst it was at Dinting.
The arrival of the Trolley at the TVLR has highlighted once again, our lack of covered storage, especially for our more historic vehicles.
In the very near future, the Trust will be launching a significant public fundraising appeal, in part to fund the urgent purchase of suitable storage accommodation for some of our older & more historic vehicles and industrial equipment that are based at TVLR. In the meanwhile, the Trolley will be stored under a heavy-duty tarpaulin.
The Trust would like to thank the Directors of NSRC (1978) Ltd for deciding to gift the Trolley to the Trust. We would also like to thank Adam Jeffrey, for moving the Trolley from the CVR to the TVLR.
Jonathan Flood
Chair, The Rail Trolley Trust
Email: Jonathan Flood
Notes to Editors
The Rail Trolley Trust (TRTT) aims to purchase, restore & demonstrate a collection of rail (construction and maintenance) trolleys and similar vehicles, as well as associated equipment and paperwork.
Please Help Us
Obviously, this vehicle 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:
North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Ltd
Tanat Valley Railway
Created: 30 March 2022
Modified: 5 Nov 2022