It's spring and the garden is awakening to the sounds of birds and trains

 I've now positioned all 17 retaining walls.

A train emerging from the 'tunnel'

When we moved into the bungalow we inherited loads of old paving slabs so I’ve been using them as the track bed. I’ve screwed the track down using 5mm rawlplugs and brass screws.

Looking down the garden. A train about to enter the 'tunnel'.

On the bungalow side of the 'tunnel' I've mortared between the paving slabs.

This is Stoke Works Station. The platforms are plywood templates made to check clearances.

Looking up the garden from Stoke Works Station

Another view of Stoke Works Station

The signal box (re-sited from the SVR) is positioned between Stoke Works Station and the Saltworks Sidings.

The line ends at the summerhouse which is scheduled for demolition next month.

Cutting Retaining Walls

After several days of dry weather the cutting has finally dried out so I've been able to lay double track through it.

Tracks have now been laid as far as the summerhouse. This will be the end of the line for now as the summerhouse will have to be demolished before it can be extended further.

The location of the tunnel is marked by the two plywood templates.

Today I've started adding the retaining walls. The wall sections were originally from Garden Railway Specialists and they were reclaimed from the Sandwell Valley Railway.

Looking down the cutting in the direction of Stoke Works Station. 

Work on the Railway has Recommenced

The winter well and truly scuppered work on the railway. The cutting has never dried out enough for me to be able to dig out the clay.

I've now dug out a drainage channel which can be seen in front of the summerhouse/shed.

The cutting is now drying out and I should be able to make progress again.

Winter Weather on the Railway

In The Rain - 23rd December 2020

In The Snow - 3rd January 2021

On A Frosty Day - 7th January 2021

A Video of the Railway

This video shows the garden pre-railway, some photos of its construction and a tour of the line.

The Wychbold and Stoke Prior Railway - The First Five Months

I started work on the railway on the 28th June this year. The 1st December was a rare dry day so I was able to set up the railway for a photoshoot.

Toby at the Saltworks with a train of private owner wagons

The Saltworks with Stoke Works Station beyond

Emily in the bay platform at Stoke Works Station

The right hand side of the garden

Another view of Stoke Works Station

James passing through Stoke Works Station and the Saltworks

The bricks are roughly marking out where the platforms will be

Stoke Works Station

I haven't been able to get much done on the railway over the last 3 weeks due to a combination of inclement weather, other aspects of my life getting in the way and idleness. However over the last few days I've been working on the site of what will be Stoke Works Station which, as you can see, will be adjacent to the Saltworks. The platforms of the station will be offset.

Looking down the garden. The left hand platform will be situated on the 3 slabs in the foreground