The Rail Trolley Trust and locomotive collector Andrew Briddon have jointly bought a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) standard gauge trailer and will fit it with weedkiller spraying equipment.

The Trust already has a working relationship with Andrew, who has two of its flat trailer vehicles on loan at his Darley Dale base in Derbyshire.

Agreeing that the ex-MoD trailer was “interesting and useful”, they put in the winning bid at the online auction run by business assets auctioneer Ramco on Tuesday 23 April.

Having bought the vehicle, Andrew arranged for GEO Siddall to collect it from Ramco’s site at Skegness and deliver it to his Darley Dale site. It arrived late in the afternoon of Tuesday 30 April.

The trailer carries the number 9015, which originally belonged to a Wickham Type 27 trailer. However, it is not a Wickham but a Baguley-built trailer.

It was originally supplied for use with the railcars built by Baguley Drewry, which included AD9120, which is owned privately and based at Andrew’s site. AD9120 is currently in the Geoffrey Briddon Building receiving mechanical attention.

The Trust is interested to know the original identity and build date of the trailer, so if you know, please contact the Trust!

Andrew and his team will now work on the trailer to get it ready for service. This will include installing weedkiller spraying equipment checked and serviced by a local specialist company.

The Trust continues to invite donations towards its goal of raising ten thousand pounds for its work in preserving rail trolleys.

It intends to use the funds to move more of its vehicles to its secure locations, provide additional suitable storage for older vehicles, and make significant progress on several restoration projects. Last year, the Trust moved assets to its Shropshire Collection at the Tanat Valley Light Railway.

Supporters can make donations in various ways, details of which are on the Trust’s website.

“Everyone’s support to our ongoing appeal would be very much appreciated.”

Jonathan Flood, Chair, The Rail Trolley Trust