Wickham Trolley
DB 965071(ex DE 320489)

© Phillip Dawe
0-4-0
N^o 7586 of 1957
ex Leyburn

This small petrol powered vehicle, owned by Martin Smith and Neville Whaler, is a useful rail vehicle for carrying small loads of equipment and staff to Blackham's Hill or the extension when work is required at these locations.

The one pictured here at Springwell is a 17A, number DB 956071, works number 7586 built in 1957.

The engine is a J.A.P. (number 3812) and has a 1300cc V Twin set at 50 degrees.

The last confirmed use of number DB 956071 was Tees Yard, but it could also have been at Whitby, Northallerton Low Gates, Redmire and Darlington Park Lane. It was purchased from British Rail in 1995 with most of the engine missing, and it took Martin six months to obtain all the correct parts to get the engine working. The next job was to remove the rusty metal, replace missing or damaged parts, and give it a good paint job. All in all, it took about twelve months to restore. The vehicle was stored outside at Tanfield Railway where it saw little use, until it was brought to Bowes Railway in January 1998.

Martin would like to say a warm "Thank you" to Paul Stephenson, his brother Keith, and fellow worker Peter who work for Jarvis Plant at Darlington for their technical and mechanical help in getting this vehicle working again.

Trolley number DX 68045, works number 730 built in 1931 was converted into a trailer and, coupled to its motorised brother (above), provides a very efficient and novel means of transporting volunteers and materials.

This page last updated 30 March 2008