They said it couldn’t be done. The design and engineering of these self-propelled miniature marvels was no mean feat – especially when it came to incorporating the mechanism into the trolley’s tiny chassis as well as including a decoder and speaker (for DCC variants) and, of course, our trademark feast of detail. But after a fair measure of head-scratching and more than a little lateral thinking, our O gauge Wickham Trolleys rolled off the production line in March 2023 to great acclaim.

No layout is too small for a Wickham, and extra trailers are available to support a 7mm Permanent Way gang as they trundle to their next job in authentic ‘luxury’. These charming little critters are at home depicting almost any region from the 1950s onwards and make an irresistible addition to any O gauge scene.

Hornby Magazine Awards 2023
Best 'O' Gauge Locomotive of the Year

BRM Awards 2023
Best 'O' Gauge Locomotive of the Year

Model Rail Awards 2023
Best 'O' Gauge Locomotive of the Year

A Brief History

Built by Wickham of Ware, the diminutive Type 27A trolleys first rolled out of the company’s Hertfordshire factory in 1948. Fitted with humble Ford 10hp engines, an initial batch was exported to Nigeria before deliveries commenced to British Rail (Western Region) the following year.

Over time the trolleys were repainted (with some also renumbered), and many were active until the 1990s, having spread across the British Rail network. A large number were preserved, and a thriving trolley restoration scene is headed up by the Rail Trolley Trust, who are dedicated to saving and restoring as many variants as possible.

The British Ministry of Supply, the Royal Engineers and a number of private companies purchased Wickham trolleys, with most of these eventually finding their way onto BR. Type 27 trolleys were also shipped overseas, with the Hellenic State Railways of Greece joining Nigeria and other African countries as customers.

Able to carry a crew of eight (including the driver) as well as to tow a couple of small wagons, the trolleys were rugged, versatile and cheaper to run than most other Permanent Way vehicles. A useful feature was their ability to be manually lifted and turned on the track by means of a small portable turntable that they carried with them. They were often housed in small sheds next to the track or parked up in sidings.

Fitted with (mostly Ford) car engines, a gearbox and a reverser, they were simple to maintain and repair, with spare parts readily available. They did, however, provide some hairy moments for their occupants as their sole means of braking was a handbrake that pressed wooden blocks onto the wheels – not ideal for wet weather!

Trolleys could be fitted with canvas side curtains for protection from the elements – but as these were fastened from the outside, it was rare to have them down while the trolley was in use.

Many trolleys were modified as time went on, with some fully enclosed or fitted out with plant support tools such as generators.

Our finescale O gauge Wickham, finished in BR Maroon livery is the first self-propelled model we have released!

Due to how 'open' the model is, the design and mechanics gave us a real challenge as, not only did we need to have a running model, but due to our high standards, we needed a beautifully running model.

After a long design and testing period, we were finally happy to sign the Wickham off for manufacturing and we're proud to now have these available to purchase with immediate dispatch.

Specifications

• Wickham Trolley & Trailer included in box
• Super detailed body and interior, including dials, handbrake and etched grills
• Die-cast chassis
• Super-detailed finescale metal wheels
• Directional lighting
• DCC Ready with a 'Next18' socket
• Capable of running on Peco 2nd Radius curves
• Trailer body, chassis and wheels in die-cast
• Detail bag including curtains, turntable rails, toolbox & extra coupling hooks