Oxford Diecast 76TR018

Mobile Trailer M.Manze Jellied Eels

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

A mobile trailer with an interesting livery promoting a delicacy which might not be to everyone’s taste – jellied eels.  However, we see the firm of Michele Manze does meat and fruit pies as well, which may be a tasty alternative and his secret liquor ingredient is said to be second to none in the world of parsley sauce. Prices denote a pre-decimalised time, with 1/6d for a jar of eels or a meat pie for 3/-.  Our trailer is registered OFH 45, so certainly well established.

In fact the history behind M Manze , the founder of the business, is fascinating. Michele Manze was just 3 years old when his parents came to Britain from Ravello in Southern Italy seeking a better life. Like so many in their position, they worked hard.  In 1902, when he was 27, Michele bought his father-in-law’s pie and mash shop in Bermondsey and it is still going strong, over 100 years later. It is not only frequented by the rich and famous but as a London landmark, it has also featured in films and on TV. The Manze empire grew and even today, there are three thriving pie & mash shops serving this traditional British delicacy. His flagships shop remains on Tower Bridge Road and there is also one on Peckham High Street, immortalised with our mobile trailer; and a third on in Sutton in Surrey. And, with modern technology and delivery options you can order from anywhere in the UK for a chilled delivery!

Our M Manze mobile trailer is painted in dark green with the same colour to chassis and wheels. The interior of the trailer is bright yellow.  A highly decorative piece of artwork sees the slippery creature itself curving round the wheel arch.  A roof board is also moulded in dark green with gold and white lettering. This vehicle would look equally at home in a London street market diorama or along the promenade of a seaside town. 

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Mobile Trailer M. Manze Jellied Eels is a model railway accessory produced under the part number 76TR018. The trailer is depicted in the British Rail Blue TOPS livery and carries the registration mark OFH 45.

The vehicle is finished in dark green paint on the chassis and wheels, with a bright yellow interior. Decorative artwork shows a stylised jellied eel winding round the wheel arch, and the roof board bears dark‑green moulding with gold and white lettering.

The model represents a mobile food trailer associated with the Manze pie and mash business, founded by Michele Manze. Manze, who arrived in Britain as a child, bought his father‑in‑law’s shop in Bermondsey in 1902 at the age of 27. The enterprise has since expanded to three locations in London and Surrey and offers nationwide delivery.

This die‑cast piece is suitable for inclusion in British railway or street‑market dioramas, providing a period‑accurate depiction of a 1930s‑era mobile food vendor.