  We present an apparatus designed for studies of atom-surface interactions
using quantum degenerate gases of $^{85}$Rb and $^{87}$Rb in the vicinity of a
room temperature dielectric surface. The surface to be investigated is a
super-polished face of a glass Dove prism mounted in a glass cell under
ultra-high vacuum (UHV). To maintain excellent optical access to the region
surrounding the surface magnetic transport is used to deliver ultracold atoms
from a separate vacuum chamber housing the magneto-optical trap (MOT). We
present a detailed description of the vacuum apparatus highlighting the novel
design features; a low profile MOT chamber and the inclusion of an obstacle in
the transport path. We report the characterization and optimization of the
magnetic transport around the obstacle, achieving transport efficiencies of 70%
with negligible heating. Finally we demonstrate the loading of a hybrid
optical-magnetic trap with $^{87}$Rb and the creation of Bose-Einstein
condensates via forced evaporative cooling close to the dielectric surface.
