Robin admits that he got bitten by the "bug" (the garden railway bug that is, not something I cooked for him), so perhaps he'll be building a 5" gauge line too.

12th January 2003

Most important guests - my parents - and Doris. This was the first opportunity for my Father to visit the line since he came out of hospital in November and the first time he could actually get to have a drive - mostly due to the weather.

It was bitterly cold, but there was no wind (unusual for my garden) and sitting on the bench in the sun it was quite pleasant.

9th March 2003

I had the family round for my parents' wedding anniversary.

The families Oxlade and Hogben (Doris behind camera).

From left to right:

Julie Hogben (my sister), Michael and Natalie Hogben (nephew and niece - twins - born on the 4th July!), myself (standing), my Father Kenneth Peter Oxlade, my Mother Iris Margaret Oxlade, my nephew James Hogben and my brother-in-law David Hogben (standing).

Natalie and James.

My sister with James riding shotgun bring up the rear.

Yes, that is a fibreglass pig peaking from behind the tree! A Christmas present from Doris. We decided to call her BESS.

James finally gets a drive - not that that was the last time. There was someone driving pretty much all afternoon.

People are still having to ride sitting on a toolbox or similar - at least until I get the carriage shed built.

30th March 2003

I think maybe we have another convert.

This is Doris' younger son Ben. That expression on his face is "I am not going to admit I am having fun". He said afterwards that he thought the railway was "Cool", which for a 14 year old who doesn't much like trains is quite something.

12th April 2003

Dave Smallbone and John Crosskey came round and helped me raise steam on PETER.

Here's Dave getting a face-full of steam, an occupational hazard I guess.

Here's John running the train of 8 tippers (not all mine) with #1 my Trojan.

28th June: Barbeque for my birthday and "Grand Opening".

The day dawned early and Doris and I went out in to the garden before 08:00 to start sorting things out for the big day. Taking no notice whatsoever that this is my brand-new PnP tipper, Doris uses it for weeding!

My brother-in-law and the kids came round to help too. It is amazing how long it can take to do the most simple jobs. "Thanks gang".

The arrangement was that anyone with young children who needed to leave early should turn up any when from 3pm. This also allowed me to get up steam and tidy PETER away before the bulk of the people turned up and long before it got dark.

Paul Middleton (of Ride on Railways) and his wife came along and brought some ride on coaches (as I have no body on mine yet) and also his saddle tank Trojan. I'd like to thank him as without this help it would have been rather more difficult to run for "the public".

He also brought his other 2 tippers (and eventually took back the 2 that I have had on loan) and he made up this "show train" of all our tippers and my loco - although I notice he left off the PnP tipper.

Photo courtesy of Paul Middleton of Ride on Railways and used with permission.

After not-so-successful previous attempts, I managed to raise steam and have quite a few good trips round the garden.

My firing technique still needs some work though, and to be honest, when there are 35-40 people around, this is not a good time to learn to fire a steam loco.

Photo courtesy of Paul Middleton of Ride on Railways and used with permission.

However, I am flushed with confidence that this is just practice now that I have been able to raise and maintain steam pressure.

Photo courtesy of Paul Middleton of Ride on Railways and used with permission.

My brother-in-law also managed to get a good fire going.

Some bright spark (I think it was a conspiracy between my sister and Doris) had bought me a Thomas the Tank Engine birthday cake. Rather embarrassing - but tasty at the same time

Incidentally, it is also my sister's birthday on the 29th June, but she is 5 years older than me.

Equally strange is that Frank (the man I bought the Hunslet from) also has a 29th June birthday.

As the sun went down, the bench at the bottom of the garden was the place to be to catch the last rays of the day.

26th July 2003

The SLR has had its first international guest.

Alan Rees (a regular visitor to the site) was visiting from Switzerland and stopped off on his way back to Gatwick Airport. The weather was none too promising but Alan managed a few trips round the garden before it started raining.

[ author: - last updated 15th February 2004 ] [ HOME ]