Handcarts

[asb]

Ever since seeing The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery when I was younger, I have wanted to go somewhere where I too could have a go at using the hand powered, lever-based handcarts that were shown. I have been trying to find somewhere (anywhere, Europe included) that still has an example that can be hired, but so far to no avail. I thought I was getting somewhere when I found the German term Draisine, but this seems to refer to pedal powered machines.

Does anyone here know where such a beast exists please? Thanks.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The correct name is Pump Trolley. Try searching using that term - there are a few heritage lines that have some.

Quainton Road seems to have one although the page here is not up to date: http://www.brc-stockbook.co.uk/pump.htm

Pump trolleys were used for inspecting the track. Originally believed to have been built by the Sheffield Car Co., Three Rivers, Michigan, USA, this inspection pump trolley was probably built in the 1920s and is similar to the Sheffield Car Cos. model 45 design of not earlier than 1889. It is now believed to be a Buda Harvey No.1 Car. It is the same type as features in older American Westerns and "The Great St Trinians Train Robbery" film. It is propelled along the track by pumping the handle up and down like a see-saw.

It has engineering links to our velocipede car and was used on the Great Eastern's Buntingford branch line. Purchased for six shillings (30p) in 1966, it will be restored for use and demonstrations here at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. It arrived at Quainton 25 May 1996.

 

[bishdunster]

Usually one available to try out at the WSR rally at Norton Fitzwarren in August for a small fee. Lovely friendly steam rally too with a superb beer tent !

 

[theblackwatch]

I've had a couple of them for haulage (although that's probably not really the right term to use!). One at Exeter Railfair back in 1994, and another at Rowden Mill. The latter is a private site and I'm not sure they do trips for organised groups any more.

 

[AndyY1951]

There was one in use at the recent open day at Eardington Station on the Severn Valley Railway.

Andy

 

[Shrewbly]

At Gotherington station on the GWSR the original station is privately owned and has its own siding with a pump trolley in the garden. It is private and not part of the GWSR, but very occasionally the garden is opened to the public, and I and the family had the pleasure of pumping ourselves along the track a few weeks ago when the owner kindly opened the garden as part of the Cotswold Festival Steam - certainly reminded me of the 'Great St Trinians' Train Robbery', especially as there was a Wickham trolley running there as well!

 

[steevp]

I am pretty sure that the rail trolleys trust had one to try at Stotfold Barn Railway open day a couple of years ago. https://www.railtrolleytrust.co.uk

 

[BrunswickGreen]

I am pretty sure that the rail trolleys trust had one to try at Stotfold Barn Railway open day a couple of years ago. https://www.railtrolleytrust.co.uk

Statfold! Usually operating at most Statfold enthusiast days, next one 8th September.

 

[duffield]

Nene Valley Railway have one you can hire**. The guy sitting next to me at work has been on it, and he said the best part is going through a level crossing on it and seeing the motorist's expressions!
You need to be fairly fit though, it's heavy work when you're against the gradient.

**Or at least they did a couple of years ago.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Genius, such an old film and my ten year old boy has asked to watch and roared laughing at this for a few years now.

 

[Trackbedjolly]

Ever since seeing The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery when I was younger, I have wanted to go somewhere where I too could have a go at using the hand powered, lever-based handcarts that were shown. I have been trying to find somewhere (anywhere, Europe included) that still has an example that can be hired, but so far to no avail. I thought I was getting somewhere when I found the German term Draisine, but this seems to refer to pedal powered machines.

Does anyone here know where such a beast exists please? Thanks.

There seems to be one at Chappel and Wakes Colne in the East Anglian Railway Museum
see https://www.railscot.co.uk/img/45/327/