Richard Slate Pictures by the author

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Ellis Clark	Ellis Clark
Unit 13 Baildon Mills	01756 701451
Northgate
Baildon	Email: ellis@ellisclarktrains.com
Shipley	Web: http://www.ellisclarktrains.co.uk
West Yorkshire
BD17 6JX

I recently purchased one of the Ellis Clark Wickham trolley and trailer sets, without the DCC sound. Although my other O gauge models are DCC sound, only an 03 and 08 at the moment, it didn’t seem worthwhile having a sound fitted Wickham. I have DCC fitted using a Dapol Imperium 2 Next18 decoder. I also bought a set of Modelu3D Wickham crew set.

The model is packed in a sturdy box, with foam inserts securely holding the trolley and trailer in place, along with an accessory bag (containing rolled side sheets, rail sections etc). There is also a small instruction leaflet with prototype details and a couple of self-adhesive labels.

The trolley itself comprises a diecast chassis with motor drive fully enclosed in the floor. The remainder appears to be a mixture of plastic and wire sections. The body itself is quite delicate and easily bent, so careful handling required. Overall, a very fine and detailed model.

Access to the decoder requires removal of eight small screws to release the cover plate underneath. The blanking plate sits in a small recess and with careful removal can be replaced with the decoder. The Dapol decoder is very slightly too large but does fit with gentle persuasion! There is another recess which I assume is for the speaker on the sound-fitted versions. Fitting the axles and cover plate back in place requires a little patience as it is not the easiest to refit without damaging the pickup strips which contact the rear of the wheels. I did manage to break one in the process, but it does not appear to affect the running a great deal.

</WRAP> It certainly benefits from running in. I’ve only run it back and forwards on a short length of track – I have yet to build a layout to run my locos and wagons! It does however run smoothly and relatively slowly and features working directional lights at each end.

The trailer is diecast and runs very smoothly. A simple coupling bar connects onto the trolley and makes a great looking model.

The Modelu3D crew pack comprises three seated figures, one in driving pose and the other two as track workers, plus a few tools and tool bag. I painted these using Games Workshop acrylic paints, starting with an off white (Corax White), and then used appropriate colours from the ‘contrast’ paint range. I have recently started to use this particular paint for figures and details. As the name suggests, the part allows one coat of paint where a darker shade dries in the recesses and details, and a lighter shade dries on the rest. This results in a realistic finish with dark shadow areas and lighter highlights.

For the trolley and trailer weathering, I used the Lifecolor Railway Weathering set of acrylic paints, applied with a variety of brushes. Commencing with the roof and working downwards. I used Roof Dirt, applied with a flat brush, applying a little paint, then removing the majority using cotton buds. A little water is required to soften the paint, which dries very rapidly. This leaves the paint in the recesses and creates subtle streaks across the roof. A couple of applications are required to achieve the desired effect. I also used Dirty Black to create subtle variation in tones. Using a small brush, I put a little paint into recesses and around the roof bolts, to add further depth.

The remainder of the body is similarly treated, working downwards. I used the Frame Dirt/Sleeper Grime on the chassis and around the lower parts of the body. The trailer was also painted in the same manner. The aim was to create various tones and shades across the trolley and trailer.

For painting of the timber sections, the seats and trailer, I used Games Workshop paints. Various shades of suitable browns were used, starting with darker shades and working to lighter shades, with each being dry-brushed along the ‘planks’. A wash of Games Workshop Agrax Earthshade wash settles into the grooves. In addition, for black I use ‘Corvus Black’ which is not quite pure black.

The figures and details being glued into position, I added a few 3D printed details, from my Mudmagnet Model range to complete the trailer.

For the photos, I set up the model in my photo box, which has built in LED lights above. The photos were taken using my Sony a7iii camera with 50mm lens. Several images in RAW format were taken at different focus points, imported into Lightroom and then blended by software (Helicon Focus). A few edits were carried out to highlight the model. These were then exported as jpeg files.