During 1976 Quainton was offered the Wheeldrop at Hither Green, provided the society could provide the labour to remove it. After a site inspection it was decided this was practical with a reasonable size squad, plus a crane. The most difficult aspect was the limited headroom for the crane a the wheeldrop was inside the old steam running shed.

The wheeldrop has a capacity of 25tons against spring compression, according to a cast maker's plate which was fixed to the wall opposite the machine. The drop table is a large one, 11ft 6in long, and is reported to have been used in its early days by Lord Nelson 4-6-0's. It was in very good order and is electrically powered by a hefty AC motor which drives through cross shafts on to four lead screws on which the table runs up and down. The whole assembly was, of course, in a large concrete pit below rail level and the only thing missing is the motor switchgear. Even the automatic pump for the pit has been saved intact.

Recovery work started on New Years Day, 1977, with 10 members spending the day stripping away the table decking away, and where possible recovering the bolts. The next day a 12ton Iron Fairy mobile crane was hired in, and was very suitable for the low head room. A 20 ton Conflat wagon was brought into the shed for the two main cross beams and other heavy items to be loaded directly they were lifted. The wagon had come from Salisbury via Eastleigh, but it could not be used for the journey to Aylesbury, as originally planned, as the load was deemed to be unsuitable. So on the following weekend, the load was transhipped to a lorry, and was moved by road to Quainton. The work at Hither Green finished on the Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd January.

The operation of the wheeldrop mechanism is interesting, and one day will make a fascinating exhibit. The movement of the floating beams, two per rail, which come across the opening in place of the table is clever mechanics, which really requires some sketches to understand fully. The quality of the machine and its physical condition is also very good indeed. For example the lead screws are run in ball races, large bronze crossheads guide table movement, and there was vitually no corrosion or wear when the table was recovered.

References:
The Wheeldrop from Hither Green - Quainton News No. 31 Spring 1977