Woolmer has arrived at Milestones. Woolmer is a 1910 saddle tank engine built by the Avonside works on loan from the NRM collection. It originally ran on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire. This railway was used to instruct members of the British Army in railway operations.

It is a lovely little engine and fits beautifully into the museum just across the way from the replica Edwardian station and on the line with the old coal wagons. Very photogenic.

Meanwhile Thornycroft manufactured cars between 1903 and 1912. They designed and built their cars at their Basingstoke factory. To gain publicity for them, Thornycroft entered them in the TT races on the Isle of Man in 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908 when they placed 5th - a good result for their day. These TT cars are now on displace in the museum including one car that revolves on a special turntable making it fun to photograph from many angles as it revolves and for once you stand still.

Picture are to be found here.