Here in the Thames Valley we have a hosepipe ban and we were heading for a drought order. That was until it started raining and raining especially at weekends. Good for the lawn and the plants not so good for running trains.

This should be the ideal time to complete all those unfinished projects but somehow sitting in the control centre (shed) with the rain lashing down all enthusiasm seems to melt away. I know what about all that model painting that needs to be done? That watermill that I started needs finishing. But, by now, somehow it seems to have undergone some magic transformation and changed into an unfinished garage. I knew that petrol pump from Pendlebury Models would come in handy. I even found a bit of spare bit of station canopy that would make a nice forecourt. Perhaps this is an opportunity to tidy up the place and find all those little bits and pieces that have been hiding from me since the last tidying session. But somehow my heart is not quite in it as I wistfully look out the window and yes it’s still raining.

Let’s get that engine out and give it a bit of a clean and lubrication. If only I could remember where I put that screwdriver. So it is back to the tidying up! How a screwdriver ends up in the brush container is beyond me. I wonder if it was the work of that big spider menacingly advancing towards me after I disturbed his web. Not quite tarantula size but definitely not Gscale either. It’s still raining.

Things are looking up the catering officer has arrived with a mug of tea and a cheery message. “Are you going to sit there all day? The vacuum cleaner has just gone up in smoke.” I wonder if the fan from that would make a waterwheel for the mill. Good job I found my screwdriver. Whilst downing my tea I just cannot resist another look at the latest Garden Rail and look out of the window to see that it is still raining.

I could check out that DR carriage and see how a lighting kit would fit in while I still know where my screwdriver kit is. Looking at the carriage and some of my other wagons inspiration struck me. My railway should be called something beginning with D railway instead of the Lakeside Gorge and Bridgend railway. Not very original, I know, but it fits in with the stencils on some of the rolling stock. So my railway becomes the Dorchester Railway and the Lakeside Gorge and Bridgend bit becomes the branch line. At least I have achieved something positive today.

 Better nip indoors and break the good news. But the sight of my good lady with a dustpan and brush in hand vigorously sweeping the carpet next to a smouldering vacuum probably suggests I should delay spreading the word for a while. Instead I decide to tackle the vacuum and clean it out. I remember now last time it was raining I vacuumed the shed floor. Low and behold inside blocking the tubes were all those bits and pieces I was looking for.

It’s still raining. Too late to start anything else now I will finish all those jobs next time I cannot get outside to run my trains. When it’s raining!

 Roger Palmer 2006.