'On track'.

“Remember Remember the 5th of November" - Having taken off in the van to Paignton in South Devon so we could collect some ‘goodies’ we stayed overnight at a campsite, which in fact was the very same one we stayed on for the first time in our previous van back in December 2011. With splendid views over Paignton across the sea to Torquay we were spoilt for firework displays as they seemed to be all over the skyline that evening.

We had walked into Paignton earlier which has become a lot more respectable since our previous visit when the town centre was looking somewhat ‘shabby’. But now much improved, well done Paignton.

Tuesday 6th November and another year ‘younger’! Well do they do say that some men revert to their childhood as they get older and probably having only recently taken up the hobby of a ‘train set’ (!) I suppose I could fit into that category.

Leaving the campsite this morning it was a short journey to collect some ‘track bedding’ that had been given to me by ‘Reg & Joe’ - thank you again. Depositing it in the van we returned home in the hope of carrying out some work in the garden before the rain descended as was forecast.

Now the ‘new’ track bed - which can be seen in the following photograph came with a number of welded gantry pieces which then supports the track bed itself. This will  form part of Phase 3 of the ‘Barrack Lantern Railway’ - but today we were able to complete Phase 2. (thank you John). 

First steps to Phase 3 of the BLL

So putting the track bed to bed(!!) for the moment and armed with the generous birthday donation of some track I completed Phase 2 - the patio loop. Then made good the ballast around the loop and warmed ‘Phyllis’ up for her first full circuit at No.51. Everything went well as can be judged from the pictures.

The apprentice!