Robel Ganger’s Trolley + Wickham Heavy Duty Gang Trolley (DsmT)

Moved to TVLR

Robel Ganger’s Trolley

Robel 56.27 Gang Trolley
Robel Small Powered Ganger’s Trolley 56.27 at TVLR
copyright: Roy Hennefer 18 February 2023

In early 2021 RMS Locotec announced it was selling items of rolling stock which were based at their site at Meldon Quarry.

We immediately decided that the Trust should try and purchase this Robel Trolley, as we did not have one in our fleet and there were none currently in preservation. We made an offer which was accepted, and the Trolley was paid for in late March 2021.

Dismantled to Trailer (DsmT) Wickham Heavy Duty Gang Trolley

Wickham Type 18A Mk6 HD GT Dsm TVLR Roy Hennefer Works 10842 005Wickham Type 18A Mk VI Heavy Duty Gang Trolley dismantled to a Trailer at TVLR
copyright: Roy Hennefer 18 February 2023

Later in the year we were again in communication with RMS Locotec and they advised that the Wickham (which is actually only a flat trailer) had failed to find a buyer. Although not something the Trust specifically needed, it was felt we could not risk it being scrapped and therefore in July 2021, this was also purchased. Since then, the Trust has identified a possible use for this vehicle, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Due to various factors and other priorities, these were not collected from Meldon until 25th January 2023. They were collected and moved together by Calcutt & Son arriving the next day at The Tanat Valley Light Railway, near Oswestry to join our Shropshire Collection.

The original details of this vehicle were:

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 Dismantled to a Trailer (DsmT)
Wickham Works No. 10842
Wickham Order - 03946
Shipped from Ware – 20th November 1975
Supplied to BR (SR), Civil Engineers, Stewarts Lane, London

On arrival at the TVLR, the Robel was immediately put into service and has proved extremely useful already.

A proposed use has now been found for the Wickham DsmT and there will be a separate announcement about this in the coming weeks.

Fund Raising

The Trust’s public fundraising appeal to raise a minimum of £10k and hopefully nearer £20k has been ongoing since autumn 2022. The money we have raised so far is being used to move more of our collection to our two locations, provide further secure & dry storage accommodation for some of our older & more historic vehicles and to make some significant progress on several important restoration projects.

Current Projects

We are working towards total restoration to full working order of the following vehicles:

  • Wickham Type 4B Trolley – Works No. 6872 of 1954 – At Chasewater Railway
  • Wickham Type 8S Trolley – Works No. 4168 of 1948 – At Chasewater Railway
  • Wickham Type 17 Trolley – Works No. 497 of 1932 – At Chasewater Railway
  • Wickham Type 27 Mk III Trolley – Works No. 8196 of 1958 – This is at a contractor and is currently awaiting a replacement chassis
  • Wickham Type 27 Mk III Trolley – Works No. 6857 of 1954 – Moving to TVLR to enable completion of its restoration
  • Lesmac Swift 4-Seater Trolley - Works No. LMS013 of 2006 – Replacement engine at a contractor for overhaul, funded by a supporter

Also, the ongoing restoration of the following items from our associated/extended collection:

  • Kerry-Wickham S10 Garage Hoist - S/No. 2454 – At a contractor for welding
  • Wickham Engineering Company Ltd - Gem Lift & Force Pump - S/No. 2344 – Being restored by a supporter
Donations can be made as follows

Direct transfers to our Charity (Business) Account:

Account: The Rail Trolley Trust
Sort Code: 30-98-90
Account No: 17492768

Or otherwise, please give via our Givey account by clicking HERE

You can now alternatively use the Trust's PayPal charity account HERE.

Everyone’s urgent support would be very much appreciated.

Thank You

The Trust would like to thank:RMS Locotecfor their help and support to the Trust. Also, Calcutt & Son for carrying out the move very professionally and efficiently.

Jonathan Flood

Chair, The Rail Trolley Trust
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes to Editors

The Rail Trolley Trust (TRTT) aims to purchase, restore & demonstrate a collection of rail (construction and maintenance) trolleys and similar vehicles, as well as associated equipment and paperwork.

Links:

RMS Locotec
Calcutt & Son
Tanat Valley Light Railway - home of Rail Trolley Trust Shropshire collection
Chasewater Railway - home of Rail Trolley Trust Staffordshire collection



Created: 23 March 2023
Modified: 25 March 2023