Excalibur steamed out of Chadwell Heath Low Level station on Sunday afternoon last week, when the Ilford & West Essex Model Railway Club entertained the children from ten families and their parents with a specially arranged Steam Day.

Gillian Herbert and Sarah Snow are two mothers who have children with ASD. In January this year they formed The Engine Shed which is a monthly toy train club for children on the autistic spectrum. Gillian and Sarah felt the best way to promote the learning and social skills of their children was by joining with like minded families and create a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

When they discovered that local Ilford & West Essex MRC had a 7¼ inch live steam railway in its grounds, the members of the club happily arranged a special event for the children and the pictures tell their own story. It is planned to hold another special day for the children later this year and any family interested in joining the Engine Shed Group should contact sarahsnowuk@yahoo.co.uk or 07969 354406.