Thomas and the High Speed Train

The high speed train has arrived on the Sandwell Valley Railway and filming has begun on Thomas' next adventure, "Thomas and the High Speed Train."

Toby's Dream

Another visit from the Pine Tree Junction Film Unit.

In this video Toby has an amazing dream after hearing that the railway needs more trucks. A fantasy railway story with Toby, Percy, S.C.Ruffey and the Troublesome trucks.

Two Tobys!

Finished Embankment

A view of the embankment with the completed cladding.

Embankment Cladding Progress

Here's a few photos of progress made with cladding the upper section of the embankment. The aluminium 'I' beams have been painted black and the strip wood has been soaked in Creocote. The drainage pipes have been cut from copper pipe.

Percy Runs Away

To avoid a nasty accident Percy runs away, but without either driver or fireman how is he ever going to stop? For this story both Thomas and Percy have been converted to battery power with radio control. They also now have sound and smoke units.
The video is based on the story 'Percy Runs Away' from the book Troublesome Engines (Railway Series Book 5) by the Rev. W. Awdry first published in 1950.

A New Signal Box for the SVR

The signal box from T & M Models has finally be put in position overlooking Birdlip Junction. The filming of 'Percy Runs Away' can now begin.

Embankment Cladding

The extension to the SVR was completed in 2012 in time for the open day on 28th July, but several areas were left looking quite raw. One of them was this corner where the blocks were left exposed. With the date for the next open day agreed with the management for Saturday 16th August it is time to rectify this situation.

I've recently clad the lower section with a wall section from Cain Howley Structures and weathered stone edging from B&Q. For the upper section I'm trying something a little different. I'm not sure exactly how it will work out yet. I'll post more photos as it develops. The aluminium 'I' beam section is from L.A. Metals of West Bromwich - the same company that supplied the aluminium for all of the SVR bridges.