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English Wickham W & W - F. N° 526 |
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Our second Trike, W&W-F. No526. A Type4 English built Wickham, sent out to Australia, the first of the second batch in November 1955. This Wickham was re-powered by the railway at the Chullora workshops with a Wisconsin motor and hand clutch from the original J.A.P and foot operated clutch.
This Trike was also owned by my Uncle, just like the Villiers. Uncertain where it was obtained, like the early Trikes my uncle bought, it may have come from Orange or Bathurst
It made many runs on the Blayney line. Later it was put on the 1.1Km "internal" track that was around the perimeter of the Caravan City Cowra Caravan park and double headed with the VW Trike pulling the "crew cab"(pictures on this site). Later it was put inline with the miniature train and was not started for more than 8 years as it was just towed.
In January 2002 I heard that GCHR(Goulburn Crookwell Heritage Railway) was formed. We purchased the Wickham and set to work getting it going and looking respectable. After a stripping back, painted, re-wired and lube serviced. My Father and I headed to Crookwell for their Country Weekend. Since then it has been one of the main motive power for the GCHR . The gates were added in 1990 for safety reasons when carrying passengers.
November 2002 the GCHR hit liability insurance problems, so it again sat around collecting dust. 2004 came around and to kill time I thought some repairs were in order as GCHR was making head way in gaining access once more. That blew out to a full restoration. Now 526 again sits collecting dust eagerly awaiting the OK for running at GCHR.
On November 3 and along with 8 of her siblings (where ever they may be), 526 turned 50.
526 is Wickham Car Nº 7181. Delivered on the 3rd of November 1955. The other 8 that shared this occasion are… 7182, 7183, 7184, 7185, 7186, 7187, 7188, 7189.
CURRENT STATUS: Operational |
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I spent 7 Months (July ’04 - February ’05) on a restoration of 526 The Photos of the undertaking and some details can been seen… |
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©copyright AM Publishing 2006 |
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Day out with 526 |
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526 Sitting on the Blaney line 1989 |
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3801 visit to Crookwell October long w/end 2002 |
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526 Sitting on the Blaney line 1989 |
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First trip with new trailer April 2002 |
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Last load of passengers on Sunday afternoon |
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3801 visit to Crookwell October long w/end 2002 |
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3801 visit to Crookwell October long w/end 2002 |
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Preparing to depart Carcoar 1989 |
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Me (right) and Friends |
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3801 visits Crookwell Oct long w/end 2002 |
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Departing Carcoar 1989 |
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Arrived at Carcoar 1989 |
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Day out with 526 |
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526 as delivered to CCC 1988 |
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Passenger upgrades. Gates added. 1990 |
