Army 9038, Type 27 MkIII Wickham Trolley, works no 8198
No 9038 was one of many Wickham trolleys purchased by the army. It has a Ford 10hp side valve engine and was delivered new in November 1958 to the MoD in Bicester. It was withdrawn and sold for scrap at Cohen's scrapyard in Northants after receiving accident damage in 1977 which severely damaged one end and twisted the frame. Purchased the following year by members of the South Devon Railway Association's London & Home Counties Group in the seventies, it was restored in an industrial estate in west London, taking up many a Sunday of a dedicated group of volunteers. The accident damage was repaired, new panels fitted and its Ford side valve engine was stripped down and rebuilt. On completion, it was taken down the M4 and M5 to Devon and entered service on the SDR. One of its most important uses was in transporting men and materials to the construction site for the new Totnes Littlehempston station which did not have road or pedestrian access. After many miles of service, it was withdrawn and its engine and gearbox removed and taken to Berkshire for refurbishment. Plans are in hand to reintroduce engine and gearbox to chassis and body in the not too distant future. One feature that has remained with it since its accident damage is the incredibly uncomfortable ride it gives when being driven 'backwards', which is similar to being at sea in very choppy waters, only more uncomfortable!
|
|
