Developed and employed as a railway engineering personnel carrier, the Wickham Trolley was introduced by British Railways in 1948. Between then and 1990, 600 units were commissioned with 25 to be used by the Ministry of Defence/Ministry of Supply.

Wickham Trolleys were used all over the world for many different purposes, and even appeared on film in 1966 when the original British film comedy The Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery, featured a version of this wagon used by the school’s staff in their attempt to join the chase to catch the robbers.

Some were powered by vee-twin JAP engines, and later by engines used in Ford Anglias, a standard four cylinder motor car engine. They were originally liveried in their own unique shade - gang trolley green - but many were altered overtime to suit various companies’ liveries and/or meet safety measures.

This example, Works No. 6941, was part of Wickham Internal Order 55414 for twenty two of this type for BR (Western Region). It was originally fitted with Ford 10hp Industrial engine (No. C840529), and shipped to Bath from Wickham's factory at Ware on 5th May 1955. At one stage it was also based at the BR Test Site at Mickleover. It has variously run as B30W and PWM3956.

Photos by: David Babaian