Preparation for the 2014 Season

As well as all of the other jobs around the railway there quite a bit of hedge trimming needed. The holly bush by Birdlip Junction was growing out of control and its shadow was taking precious light from the garden. It's now been chopped down and shaped to a more respectable 8 feet.

Hedge trimming in progress

More leaves on the line

Toby Arrives at the Sandwell Valley Railway

A couple of weeks after he arrived in the country Toby has finally made it to the SVR courtesy of Steve Warrington of Back 2 Bay 6.

Toby and Henrietta crossing the viaduct

Toby and Henrietta crossing the viaduct

The 2014 Season

At last it has been dry enough to assess what maintenance is required before the railway can open for the season and, more importantly, the next Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends video. The photos below show the major areas in need of work, but on top of these jobs most of the railway needs reballasting.
After I took these photos I started to clean up the leaves and other detritus off the track. I had just sent the first train around the garden to check that everything was clear when it started to rain again and work had to be abandoned for the day!

Curved bridge in side garden in need of a new deck

Embankment wall needs extending

Site for new signal box

Birdlip Junction - engine shed and broken lamppost are both in need of repair and replacement

Cuttings and tunnels need cleaning out

Embankments need finishing 

Transforming Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas is now in the workshop being converted to battery and radio control operation with smoke and sound. Work has temporarily halted for a boiler test. Looks like he's passed.

Smoking Well

Percy the Small Engine with Sound and Smoke

The railway is looking very sad after the wettest January since records began.
Meanwhile Percy has been in the workshop over the Winter and has now been fitted with battery, radio control, sound and smoke. See Percy undergoing test runs on the Sandwell Valley Railway.