The gordon howell collection of model steam - Thimbleby & Shorland

FOREWORD
Gordon Howell 1920-2012
Hampshire born in November 1920, Gordon Howell witnessed much during his lifetime, from
his first pull along wooden engine as a toddler, hitching lifts as an eight year old on the local mill
steam wagons delivering flour, operating portable engines during the war, the owner of a Foden
steam wagon, with exploits of moving engines in the very earliest days of preservation.
Gordon had a natural aptitude for mechanical engineering, initially building stationary engines,
moving onto a miniature Burrell steam tractor, various railway locos, not to mention his Yorkshire
and Atkinson steam wagons.
Starting work at Andover Timber Co in 1935 he found a big Marshall portable engine powering the
plant, through various stages of modernisation he worked there for over 50 years overseeing many
of the changes as the company engineer. In a reserve occupation during the war he proudly served
in the local Home Guard, becoming the Weapons Training Instructor for firearms and grenades.
Marrying his wife Gladys in 1946, there was soon a Merryweather steam engine and boiler
installed in the small garden workshop, that by way of line shafting drove his machine tools at
the new marital home. Living here until his sad passing in May of this year, the output from the
workshop was a credit to his engineering ability, where he would not only construct new engines
for himself but take on projects others had shunned or left unfinished.
Gordon’s involvement with full size steam almost came about in 1948 when showman Albert Arnold
offered him the smaller of the two engines he’d used on the fairgrounds. With nowhere to keep the
engine, the offer was reluctantly declined. An association with a full size steam engine wasn’t long in
coming as in 1952, initially in partnership he took control of the Foden timber tractor Mighty Atom.
In his element, Gordon undertook a series of adventures, hauling engines which were destined
for preservation, attending carnivals and fetes and many early rallies. He relished the invitation
to appear on television with the Foden, but 1967 saw the need of a new fire box and while the
work was completed he now returned to the world of miniature engineering.
With a group of like minded friends Gordon had been instrumental in 1945 in forming the
Andover & District Model Engineering Society, and following a club visit to Appleford traction
engine race in 1952 it was through Gordon that the Andover club initiated the first ever traction
engine rally the following year.
He entered the 21 st century winning awards throughout the first decade, a cup at the Guildford
Model Engineering Society 40 th Miniature Rally in 2007, and a year later Robert Herring, chairman
of the National Traction Engine Trust presented Gordon with a prestigious award in recognition of
his input to the preservation movement.
His 90 th birthday saw Gordon in his capacity as Club President officially open the new raised
railway track of the Andover & District Model Engineering Society. Continuing in fine spirits until
only a week or so before his sad passing Gordon carried an interest in steam to the very end.
Peter Hammond
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