Woolmer - A Hampshire locomotive comes home

[Stephen]

On Sunday afternoon Milestones museum in Basingstoke will take deilvery on loan of Avonside 0-6-0ST Woolmer, formerly of the Longmoor Military Railway. The loco left Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon this morning and after a stop-over in Birmingham, will continue its journey south on Sunday. The engine was last in Hampshire some 40-odd years ago, and many people will remember it as a static exhibit at Longmoor, sitting on a short length of track between the officers' mess and the parade ground. Woolmer was the first loco to be overhauled at the NRM Shildon, and we're delighted that we're able to return it to Hampshire and put it on display in the county, only some 20 miles from its former home.

Once unloaded, the locomotive needs to negotiate an awkward journey through the Milestones recreated streets, concluding with an impressive slide sideways into its final position. Who said museum work doesn't keep you awake at night...

We're doing a 'bacon roll' special on Monday morning for anyone who would like to come along and see what we're up to. Then, after we've given it a good clean, Woolmer will be on display from Tuesday onwards.

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/milestones/mil ... m?id=69839

The photo, courtesy of Anthony Coulls, shows Woolmer being loaded at Shildon this morning.

[Stephen]

After a complicated but entirely smooth operation, Woolmer is now installed in its new home, on loan from the NRM.

Woolly in place.jpg

[Rumpole]

Excellent news Stephen, it really is a marvellous looking little loco; its a shame the next couple of times I'm in Hampshire fall on Mondays, I'll have to pay another visit at some point.

[Avonside1563]

Have to say, Stephen, on first glance at the photo a Monty Python line from Holy Grail sprang to mind... "It's only a model!"
Nice to see her being cared for, would have been even nicer to see her in steam, but who knows what the future might bring.

[Stephen]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Although it was finally put in place only late last night, with visitors admiring it and school kids busily drawing it today, Woolmer looked as though it had always been there. Just perfect!

As regards steaming it - Woolmer was operational for 44 years but has been a static exhibit for 56!

[gazearn]

she would look cracking going up foffield bank . Aye Niget