Grandfather, 83, rides around working miniature railway in back …
No engineering works on this line! Grandfather, 83, rides around working miniature railway in his back garden complete with eight mini engines – after spending 30 years building it
- Derek Burwell has been building the miniature railway in his garden since 1993
- The 83-year-old is still adding to the track in his garden in Pelsall, Walsall
A grandfather with a love of trains has spent the last 30 years lovingly building a working miniature railway track in his own back garden.
Derek Burwell has been creating the impressive 272 yard line track at his home in Pelsall, Walsall, West Midlands, since 1993, which comes complete with eight mini engines he built by hand.
The line now runs around the edge of the 83-year-olds 40ft wide garden, which also houses the workshop where he has spent hours a day adding to his track.
The track, which Mr Burwell has spent thousands creating, is made from timber and aluminium, which carries a mixture of electric, battery-powered, and petrol-driven hydraulic engines.
His unique garden also features a host of railway memorabilia, including a 100-year-old signal which he reclaimed from a level crossing. It now sits proudly in the middle of the grandfather-of-twos lawn.
Derek Burwell has been creating the impressive 272 yard line track at his home in Pelsall, Walsall, West Midlands, since 1993
His unique garden in Walsall also features a host of railway memorabilia alongside the track
The garden includes a 100-year-old signal which the83-year-old reclaimed from a level crossing
The grandfather-of-two has built an array of vehicles by hand in his own workshop in his garden
There are signs running along the track which Mr Burwell has collected over the course of the 30-year-project
The backyard train track was born from Mr Burwell’s love of locomotives, which began when he was a child when his father took him to work at Birmingham Coach and Carriage Company.
He then spent his working life repairing and restoring engines, rolling stock and carriages before he retired.
He revealed the track was something he ‘always wanted to do’.
‘It gave the neighbours a bit of a surprise when they saw I had my own railway track but it’s something I’ve always wanted to do’, he said.
‘I used to enjoy riding the train in the arboretum but that closed down due to health and safety issues in the late 80s. The council did not bother to to fix the problem and just closed it down, which was sad.
‘So I thought I’d build one myself. Now I can now ride my train whenever I like because it’s in my back garden.
‘I have always been into locomotives. My dad would take me to work and I would get to sit in all these amazing engines. One was built for the late Queen.
The backyard train track was born from Mr Burwell’s love of locomotives, which began when he was a child when his father took him to work at Birmingham Coach and Carriage Company
The signs are a lovely addition to the backyard track which Mr Burwell has been working on since 1993
He has also added a variety of unique features including signs which run over the 40ft track
The track, which Mr Burwell has spent thousands creating, is made from timber and aluminium, which carries a mixture of electric, battery-powered, and petrol-driven hydraulic engines
Mr Burwell spent his working life repairing and restoring engines, rolling stock and carriages before he retired
‘As I got older, I thought it would be a nice hobby and keep me busy. It’s better I’m doing this than being stuck in front of the TV all day.
‘It keeps me really active and I enjoy it. Not many people can say they have a fully working railway in their back garden.
‘There are some fabulous miniature railways across the country but you have to know where to find them. People like to keep them a secret.’
Mr Burwell lives alone after his wife, Margaret, died aged 73 two years ago. He regularly sees his daughter and two grandchildren and grandson Thomas has even taken to help him out with odd jobs on the track.
‘My grandson helps me out with my jobs, he can weld, and I have passed my love of trains on to him’, Mr Burwell said. ‘We used to have birthday parties when the grandkids were children and give everyone a ride on the railway, we used to have great fun.
‘My wife just put up with it really, she didn’t have much of a choice. She knew how much I enjoyed building this track.’
One of the eight vehicles which Mr Burwell has loving built by hand in his back garden
He revealed that the project, which began in 1993, was something that he had always wanted to do
Mr Burwell’s skillset is still called upon by other miniature railway lovers and collectors who want to restore their own vehicles
His impressive skillset is still called upon by other miniature railway lovers and collectors who want to restore their own vehicles.
‘I’m supposed to be retired’, Mr Burwell added. ‘But there is always someone wanting something or another doing, but I enjoy restoring things
‘I’m currently working on a little bus which is from a fairground in Belgium for a friend of mine. It’s taking up a big chunk of the garden. I think this will be my last major job. I need to slow down eventually and focus on working on my own garden.’
References
- ^ Gemma Parry (www.dailymail.co.uk)