Pre-NVR History
There are now only about a dozen pump trolleys left in existence in the UK. Of those only 3 or 4, including our one, are operational. The star of many American Western Films, they used to be a common sight in the 19th and early part of the 20th Century. Pump trolleys were originally used by track workers to get to remote locations on little-used lines and for track inspection. They were light enough so 4 big men could lift them on and off the track as required.
Our pump trolley was built in 1907 for the Great Eastern Railway. It was found by the Rev. Richard Paten, one of the Railway’s founding members, in an outhouse in a pub in the Fens. For many years, the locals had used it as an easy means of travelling from the village to the pub, taking it off the track at either end! By the time it arrived at the NVR it had been hidden in the barn, and forgotten about for many years. It was one of the first rail vehicles owned by the fledgling Peterborough Railway Society, that later became the NVR.
During its time on the NVR the pump troley was used for numerous events, challenges and filming work. It even broke the World Record for the furthest distance travelled on a pump trolley!
By 2007 the trolley, which had previously been rebuilt using soft wood, had fallen out of use and was displayed simply as a static exhibit.