Retired Eastbourne rail worker builds 30ft railway track in garden

Adrian said he started the project about eight months ago and has recently been able to finish it during lockdown SUS-200405-110222001

In Adrian Backshall’s garden sits a 30ft railway track with a hand-cranked trolley, which he started building last year and has recently finished during lockdown – thanks to ‘boredom’, ‘lovely spring weather’ and permission from his wife.

The 59-year-old from Willingdon said, “We moved here three years ago and it has a big garden. My wife said to me ‘you’ve got room to build a railway here’. So I took her up on it.

“It’s like a little mobile shed. It’s really nice to hang out in. I’ve turned it into a nice space to have drinks, have a cup of tea, and I’m building a stove for when it’s cold and to sit out in during the evening. I’m chuffed with it.

Adrian Backshall's train project SUS-200405-110211001

“With this lockdown it’s been great. I’ve not been bored. I’ve just been building it, and there’s still lots to do.”

The former British Rail worker said he has mentioned to his wife about the possibility of extending the railway to the bottom of the garden, but they have come to a crossroads as it may overlap into her own projects.

He said, “She’s resisting the extension. She’s not keen because it will go through her flowers. My mates want me to extend it.

“Who knows. It has been more complicated than building HS2.”

Adrian Backshall's train project SUS-200405-110200001

Adrian said, “Everyone should have a railway in their garden.”

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