Here the permanent way team are seen from a passing train putting the finishing touches to the work completed so far.

The extensive work to remodel the yard at Toddington, following completion of the two new inspection pits, has taken a significant step forward with reconnection of the sidings (including the 'unloading road' that extends into the car park) to the rest of the GWR system.  There still remains a lot of work to do, with connection to the 'Dowty' shed, the former steam running shed, and installation of new pointwork to replace the former South ground frame.  This latter work includes new motor-operated points that will be controlled from the signalbox.

Work is also about to start on extending the south end of the four-road David Page shed which will expand under-cover accommodation for steam and diesel locomotives, which is the next phase in the improvement of Toddington's facilities. The extension will allow sufficient room for example, for two full-sized tender locomotives to be accommodated on a single road. In the future, an extension at the north end is planned, too.

Engineering director Andrew Goodman points out that the new yard layout will provide much better accommodation and improved flexibility for future operations.  "We are blessed with plenty of space when compared with many railways," he says. "The new pits and the extended David Page shed offer good facilities for maintenance of our locomotive fleet - but there still remains much to achieve. Still on the 'to do' list are a new diesel running shed in place of the existing Dowty shed and extending the former goods shed to improve and extend the workshop and provide crew mess room and shower facilities which will become the envy of the heritage railway movement."