United Dairies Wales and Edwards Milk Truck 8505 PF

Shrewsbury based Wales & Edwards began building battery-electric road vehicles in 1951, initially solely for United Dairies. A modified version was soon offered on the open market and was an instant success around the UK.

Handsworth Dairies purchased some of these every year from 1954 until 1975. The design of enclosed cab gradually evolved over the years but XOG 847 has the original metal style and, despite the number originally built, is thought to be the only survivor.

Handsworth Dairies grew considerably in 1960 with the purchase of the Birmingham Dairy Company. Both names continued to be used but around 1968 the trading name 'Birmingham Dairies' was adopted followed by a new yellow, white and black livery. The business was sold to Avonmore Dairies in 1990, the Birmingham Dairies name being retained by the new owner for a short period afterwards.

Preservation

XOG 847 was bought from a private owner in 1986 and was restored the same year. It has a special part in the museum's history by becoming our first battery-electric exhibit. The livery it carries is the traditional Handsworth Dairies colours but with the name of the Birmingham Dairy Company.