Bob, a widower and retired railway station manager in Hampshire, England, meets and is attracted to Claire, a lady who is interested in buying a cottage in Small End. His tentative advances are unsuccessful and his friends Joe and Jane persuade him to go to Portugal with them. Enjoying this, Bob decided to make and sell more wooden train sets so he'll have enough money to take more holidays.
Over the next few months, Bob and Ken, an acquaintance who becomes his partner, build a successful toy-making factory. Another romance develops and Bob's future looks bright.