Today’s activities were centred on the exchange sidings and the joining of those sidings to the GWR ‘up’ goods line. The exchange sidings also join the track which skirted the LMS Avenue Station.

The slow ‘up’ goods line is shown in the above photograph – it is immediately in front of the signal box. The signal box has been borrowed from the LMS side in order to position the track correctly.

Behind the signal box is the first of two sidings that are being installed this week. Above the roof of the signal box you can see a set of points in position – these will feed the second siding.

The LMS Avenue Station can be seen in the top of the photograph, whilst on the top right hand side can be seen the platform bases for the GWR General Station. A ‘castle’ class locomotive is shown at the head of a through passenger service destined for Birmingham Snow Hill. A London bound passenger train has stopped at platform 3.

Today saw the introduction of three sidings between the two stations. The track is in position but needs to be tacked down.

The sidings were part of an extensive exchange yard that allowed goods wagons to cross between the GWR and LMS railway companies.

These tracks will be wired to the ‘Down’ GWR power controller as they feed into that part of the layout. LMS track that connects to the yard will have isolation track joiners fitted.

The layout has been under construction for the last 18 months and there are many more years of work envisaged before it will be regarded as ‘finished’. Things can always be improved!