Peter and his Grandpa have built a miniature steam railway across their farm, linking their houses. It is a scenic journey, crossing fields, woodland and running beside a river. For Peter the great excitement of this book is learning to drive the steam engine, Fiery Fox. It is what he has been waiting for since they started to build the railway. Apart from one disastrous escapade, everything works as they intended. The story finishes with the railway running at night, taking Grandma to a surprise birthday dinner. They also extend the railway and build a turntable so the engine can always face forwards for pulling the trains.