| HM The Queen launches new Exbury locomotive “Mariloo” Royal blessing for Mariloo
The Queen, a personal friend of the Rothschild family who own Exbury, unveiled the five-tonne Mariloo in a private ceremony on Saturday 3rd May, a day ahead of the public launch. She then rode on the footplate of the new engine as her retinue and family and friends of the Rothschilds were driven around the Exbury Garden railway by Mr Leopold de Rothschild. Mariloo, the engine, is named for Marie-Louise, one-time matriarch of the Exbury Rothschilds and the mother of ‘Mr Leo’ and his elder brother ‘Mr Eddy’, the public face of Exbury Gardens. Her Majesty, who enjoyed lunch and tea with the Rothschilds, took a walk around Exbury, accompanied by head gardener John Anderson who showed her the progress made by a yew tree she planted at the Gardens four years ago. On that occasion also, members of the public visiting Exbury were startled to see Queen Elizabeth riding on the Exbury steam railway. “Her Majesty very kindly agreed to make a private visit to Exbury to help us celebrate the launch of our marvellous new engine, Mariloo,” said Mr Leo. “She not only gave Mariloo her blessing but also planted a new tree by the Sundial garden. This tree will stand as a tribute to her and to the beauty of this garden for many generations to come,” he said. The Queen planted a young Davidia Involucrata, the ‘handkerchief tree’, so called because of its huge white bracts which resemble gently flapping handkerchiefs. Mariloo’s first public steaming happened on Sunday when Mr Leo took a party of guests and journalists around the track. “Exbury Garden Railway is very proud to receive Mariloo,” he said, thanking the Stirland family who had designed and built her. He also welcomed John Whittington who taught him to drive steam engines which have been his life-long passion. Mariloo, liveried in Exbury blue and gold as are Rosemary and Naomi, the other two locomotives, started her working life at the Gardens this week, making regular 20 minute trips around the one-and-a-quarter mile Exbury track during May’s high season. Garden Railway Factfile: · Work started in September 2000 – the wettest winter on record. Planting in the new Summer Lane Garden, through which the railway runs, was significantly delayed. The planting took place in the summer which, ironically, was one of the hottest on record. · The new garden, which was created out of an old gravel pit, was designed by landscape architect Sue Sutherland, and is created in a flowing natural style, incorporating a pond, a bridge and tunnel for the train and swathes of grasses, trees and perennial plants. · The Stirland family of Exmoor Steam Railway acted as advisors and have built the rolling stock. Technical data: · She is the largest 12¼” gauge locomotive to be built at Exmoor. More details on the Exbury Gardens Railway:
Lower two images copyright JS Bunch Top Image copyright Exbury Gardens |
Exbury’s new steam locomotive received a royal blessing when Her Majesty the Queen unveiled her nameplate and took a ride on the footplate through the world-famous Gardens.
