The Rail Trolley Trust has now been joined by the First Robel Trolley and a Wickham Type 18 Mk VI Chassis which are now part of its Shropshire Collection at the Tanat Valley Light Railway.
2021 saw RMS Locotec reveal that they wished to sell items of rolling stock from its Meldon Quarry site and the Trust jumped at the opportunity to try and purchase the Robel Trolley as it had no examples of one in its fleet and also because none were in preservation at the time. An offer was made and accepted for the Trolley which was also paid for in March 2021.
Later in 2021, RMS Locotec got in touch with The Rail Trolley Trust to let them know that the Wickham did not have a buyer and despite the vehicle not being something that was needed by the trust, felt that the risk of it being scrapped was great and was also purchased during July 2021.
The Robel Trolley and the Wickham could not be collected from the Meldon site until the 25th of January 2023 when they were moved by Calcutt & Son, arriving at The Tanat Valley Light Railway the next day.
The vehicle's original details are as follows:
Robel Small Powered Ganger's Trolley 56.27
- Robel Works No. TNS 105
- Built-in 1983
- Supplied to British Army on the Rhine
Wickham Type 18A Mk VI Heavy Duty Gang Trolley
- Wickham Works No. 10842
- Wickham Order – 03946
- Shipped from Ware – 20th November 1975
- Supplied to BR (SR), Civil Engineers, Stewarts Lane, London
The Robel was put into action immediately at the Tanat Valley Light Railway and is already proving to be an excellent purchase. The Trust has also found a potential use for the Wickham which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The Rail Trolley Trust is currently running a public fundraising appeal which began in Autumn 2022 and aims to achieve a minimum of £10,000 but it is thought that the amount raised could be closer to £20,000. This funding will support the Trust move more of its collection to its two locations which offer more secure and dry storage for the older and more historical vehicles alongside supporting significant progress on a number of restoration projects.
The Trust's current restoration to full working order projects to full working order include:
- Wickham Type 4B Trolley – Works No. 6872 of 1954 which is located at Chasewater Railway
- Wickham Type 8S Trolley – Works No. 4168 of 1948 which is located at Chasewater Railway
- Wickham Type 17 Trolley – Works No. 497 of 1932 which is located at Chasewater Railway
- Wickham Type 27 Mk III Trolley – Works No. 8196 of 1958 which is currently with a contractor awaiting a replacement chassis
- Wickham Type 27 Mk III Trolley – Works No. 6857 of 1954 which is moving to Tanat Valley Light Railway which will allow the completion of its restoration
- Lesmac Swift 4-Seater Trolley – Works No. LMS013 of 2006 which is undergoing engine replacement with a contractor as part of its overhaul and is being funded by a supporter
The Trust's ongoing restoration of items associated with its collection includes:
- Kerry-Wickham S10 Garage Hoist – S/No. 2454 which is with a contractor for welding
- Wickham Engineering Company Ltd – Gem Lift & Force Pump – S/No. 2344 which is being restored by a supporter
To find out more about supporting the Trust's work and a number of donation options, please visit its website.
The Trust wishes to thank RMS Locotec for their help and support and Calcutt & Son for carrying out the move in a professional and efficient manner.
