A Unique Railway in the Back Garden of a Retired Engineer
A retired rail engineer has created something truly remarkable – a 50ft-long, functioning railway in his backyard. Adrian Backshall, 64, started this unique project during the pandemic in 2020, just after he and his wife Ruth, 58, moved into their new home in Willington, East Sussex.
Adrian’s journey began with an old rail trolley that dates back to the Victorian era. He found it discarded at his previous home and decided to give it a new purpose. Using train tracks he sourced from scrapyards, he built a track system in his garden. Over time, he added a frame and a roof, creating a carriage that can seat between four and five people. This resulted in a fully functional railway line.
Initially, the track was only around 30ft long. However, in March of this year, Adrian extended it by another 20ft. Now, the railway runs almost the entire length of his garden, with two stops: the patio and the shed.
Adrian estimates that he has spent approximately £2,000 on the project so far. He shared how the idea came about, saying, “We had this old rail trolley because it had been dumped in our previous garden – and my former railway boss Bob said we had to save it. So then when we moved here and had more outdoor space, Ruth suggested I build a track for it.”
He used scrap tracks to create the initial setup, allowing him to push the trolley up and down the garden. But when the pandemic hit, and social activities were limited, he and Ruth decided to make the project more exciting.
During the lockdown, Adrian worked on building a train carriage equipped with seats, glass windows, and a wood burner for colder weather. His first design required him to stand outside the train to get it moving by winding a wheel that pulled a cable attached to the carriage. However, he soon upgraded the system by installing a 12-volt solar-powered winch. This allowed him to operate the train from inside the carriage, making it fully autonomous.
Adrian described the excitement of the first trial, saying, “That was really quite exciting when we first trialled it. We have neighbours and friends over, and I can tell them to just flip a switch, and suddenly they go, ‘Oh God, it’s moving!’”
His most recent development involved extending the track to reach the patio at the bottom of his garden. This addition has made the railway feel even more like a real train line. Adrian explained, “It’s fun because it’s like a proper railway now. You can get on at the top of the garden and get off at the patio.”
The couple’s two dogs, Sybil and Gladys, are also big fans of the railway. Adrian said, “The dogs absolutely love it. They’re in there, our friends are in there. Sometimes people call me and say their grandchildren live near and would love to try.”
This quirky project has brought joy not only to Adrian and Ruth but also to their community. It’s a testament to creativity, resourcefulness, and the ability to turn a simple idea into something extraordinary. Whether it’s for a family gathering or a special visit from friends, Adrian’s railway continues to provide entertainment and a sense of wonder.
