Following recent donations of a Permaquip Panex Clip Extractor and a Permaquip Permaclipper track machine, the Rail Trolley Trust has added a Permaquip Material Handling Tug to its fleet of small track machines.

The tug has a Permaquip works number T003 and was supplied to British Rail in 1988 when it was allocated fleet number CEPS No. DX68097. In recent years it has been operated by Amey with fleet No. 105099.

For several years the Trust has known about the vehicle, then last May the Trust made contact with the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway and was informed that it was surplus to requirements. By the middle of July, the Trust had agreed a deal with the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway that was acceptable to both sides.

On 10th October, Dawson (Structural) Engineering Co. Ltd moved the tug from Wallingford to the Tanat Valley Light Railway near Oswestry where it joined the Rail Trolley Trust‘s Shropshire Collection.

Unfortunately, the Tug came with no relevant technical or operating documentation or paperwork. Neither the Trust nor the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway has anything relating to it. If anyone knows of anything that might be useful or can help in providing anything, the Trust would appreciate their getting in contact.

The Trust is now looking to raise a minimum of £10k, and hopefully nearer £20k, through a public fundraising appeal. Funds raised will go towards moving more of the Trust’s collection to its two secure locations, increasing the suitable storage accommodation for some of its older and more historic vehicles, and making further progress on several important restoration projects.

Alternatively, donations can be made online through the Trust’s Givey account at https://www.givey.com/trtt or via its PayPal account
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=AA993CXY7Q44E

The Trust has expressed its thanks to the Board of the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway for allowing the Trust to acquire the tug for its fleet and to Dawson (Structural) Engineering Co. Ltd for the professional and efficient way in which they transported the machine.