Lord Montagu of Beaulieu

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I'm posting to mark the passing of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu (Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu), as reported by the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page).  Although very much a motoring man, his museum in the New Forest was one of those places / legends that was around in the transport arena even in my youth - so this is very much a passing of an age.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34106225

Lord Montagu was one of the pioneers of the stately home industry and first opened his home, Palace House, to the public in 1952.
He also founded the National Motor Museum on the 7,000-acre (2,800-hectare) estate and was a leading authority on veteran and vintage cars, usually taking part in the London to Brighton run.

[grahame]

P.S.  There is a rail link - http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/attractions/monorail-veteran-bus/

MONORAIL
This high-level, mile-long monorail is the oldest in England and will take you on a sedate circuit of the attraction. Offering sweeping views of the Grounds and Gardens before passing through the National Motor Museum, fascinating commentary recounts the stories behind the many interesting features you will see. With a North and South station, the Monorail runs at frequent intervals throughout the day.

and I think I remember a miniature railway in the past?

[Witham Bobby]

Lord Montagu was at Minehead Station on 28 March 1976 to send away the first train to Blue Anchor at the re-opening of the first three miles or so of the West Somerset Railway.  Proud day for me and my colleagues who had worked hard to get the project to revive the branch going.

http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=oldpix/1970s/000074_20_jas

You can just about make him out, standing on the platform waving his top hat, to the front of the locomotive.

The event drew a big crowd 

Nobody was hurt - despite what today's railway would regard as an impossible level of lineside trespass.