Nothing Big Just Trains The Garden...!

Hi all! Once again, due to transport problems which were a result of the recent "BIG FREEZE", I wasn't going anywhere this weekend! Therefore, yesterday and today, I decided to go out the back and take a few trains on a couple of runs around the garden. Though we did run trains in the snow, now that it has thawed I must admit it is much easier to run trains! For example, all of the outdoor points were frozen solid in the snow and could not be moved for love nor' money. Now they've thawed they work perfectly again...thank goodness! Today, unlike yesterday when we just took a few single runs around, I decided to use the railway to its full capacity (1 train in operation with 5 in sidings but available to move at any time). This utilises method of operation see's the outdoor loop, the outdoor spur and all of the inside sidings as well as the main running line for storage/opearation of trains. Its does however mean that 6 trains can be on the tracks with their loads made up at any one time. This means no pulling trains off the track to change coaches/wagons and it is also saves having to shift loco's out of the way (I like it...all I have to do is work the transformer, drink tea and sit near the heater!). The above image shows my Bullied light Pacific No34051 "Winston Churchill" (with 4 coach LNER Train, stored in the outdoor spur) as the visiting Merchant Navy Pacific "United States Lines" passes by with a freight to the terminus.
Typically, as alot of time is spent in the shed on these days (watching trains go round and operating the "Fiddle Yard"), no buildings are laid out so the track is just that...track! Above, Chilvers Passing Loop can be seen. When the buildings are out this area looks particularly busy with houses, Chilvers station, cars, signalling and is also illuminated by night(!) but today it looked a little bare. Two trains are seen crossing over here with 6600 ready to leave for a circuit to the shed and back. The line on the left is the one from Sutherland and, if trains continue then they arrived back in the shed via the bridge on the end of the straight. The other way, around 3/4 of a lap has to be done before trains arrive back into the shed. Below, the other end of the loop is seen. 45156 "Ayrshire Yeomanry", my much-loved Hornby Black 5, stands at the head of her 4-coach train, consisting of our 3-coach illuminated Pullman rake as well as our Autocoach (W197). To the left of the Black 5 is 6600's train on the "Up" line, consisting of our 4-coach LMS Composite rake and one of our BR Mk1's. The Black 5 would now layover here for around 25 minutes whilst other trains passed by on the "up line", before swapping over with "Winston Churchill"+the LNER rake later on...

By 4pm, the mixture of early sunset and dark, wintry clouds made it quite dark in the garden and so my recent arrival, the BR (M) Tail-Lamp, was put out to provide some illumination, as was our Spot-Light which also provides a bright beam. A few more trains operated up and down the line before operations ceased at around 4:50pm. With the main priority being locomotives, they were put away first, following by the rolling stock. The lights were then put away before the two "Trap-Doors" (through which trains gain access to the garden) were shut and locked. These have been used since the garden line began in 2005 and are hinged on the outside & locked on the inside. A metal plate then slides down behind the locks as an extra prevention to damp, frost or evening somebody breaking in! With everything put away, turned off or locked I called it a day and headed for home and a hot cup of tea! Thanks for reading everybody, info on some "REAL" Steam coming soon! Any comments welcome! Evening All...