A Dr Who exhibition trailer that once toured America on a promotional tour and discovered abandoned in the High Peak years later, features in a new DVD.

It was Autumn 1985 when Julie Jones was overseeing the Dr Who Exhibitions at BBC Enterprises, who, working with several other key figures representing the corporation’s interest in America, created the ambitious tour. 

Working at the time with Monarch International and its programme distributor Lionheart Television, the exhibition slowly became a reality. 

Popular Dr Who artist Andrew Skilleter was contracted to produce  exterior decoration designs for the trailer which included alien landscapes and the Dark Tower of Gallifrey. 

The exhibition interior was designed by BBC Designer Tony Burrough to accommodate as many items as possible in the confined space. Exhibits included a Silurian, Sontaran, Cyberman, Dalek and K-9 together with a mock up side of the Tardis console.

Some of the characters were animated to make the exhibition more interesting for visitors.

There were two police boxes at either end of the trailer to allow visitors to enter and exit the exhibition, while a merchandising area was created at the front together with Bessie - the Doctor’s car - which accompanied the tour.

On completion the Dr Who USA tour was given a grand press launch attended by Colin Baker in costume as The Doctor, Nicola Bryant and Janet Fielding, all menaced by a Cryon and Cyberman.

The launch was featured on John Craven’s Newsround which showcased the Trailer with a contribution from Colin Baker who said: “The Americans will adore it. They’ll get the chance to see and almost touch the actual props and costumes from the programme.”

The 48ft-long trailer (too large to be legally driven on Britain’s Roads) finally left Liverpool for New York in May, 1986 where it received its official American launch on May 9, attended by Peter Davison and Michael Grade.

Once in the United States, the trailer was to be on the road three days a week, driving between venues to give as many fans in America the chance to view the exhibits. 

However, the trailer suffered some damage while being loaded/unloaded at Liverpool dock. On returning to the UK the interior was stripped with many items finding their way into the ‘Space Adventure’ Exhibition on Tooley Street. 

What happened to the Trailer itself became something of a mystery with the popular belief it had merely been sold for scrap.

However, during a visit to New Mills in the High Peak in December 2001, the USA tour logo was spotted on the back of the trailer in a scrap yard!

Sure enough, it was the remains of the very exhibition which had journeyed overseas and found itself in this unlikely location. 

How it arrived there is anyone’s guess but it just goes to show that you never know what you may find on your travels.

The discovery is now being included on a DVD release covering the USA Tour and is part of a series featuring the various Doctor Who exhibitions.