A self-professed train aficionado is living out his childhood dream after deciding to build a fully functioning rideable miniature railway in his back garden.
Jonathan Roe, 35, from Ollerton in Nottinghamshire, has been building the track since 2021 and claims to have made more progress on it than HS2.
With a track that runs down the length of his garden, Mr Roe opens his railway to local children with autism and has raised thousands for charity by hosting events.
Mr Roe said: ‘This all just started off as a hobby but it’s got a bit out of hand. I’ve always been a train aficionado so when it came to renovating my garden, I thought ‘why not?’
‘It’s allowed me to make a childhood dream of both mine, and many others, a reality.
‘I taught myself the nuts and bolts, ordered all the necessary kit online and then just went full steam ahead and started building.
‘It was a lot of work, taking me nine months to build the first line – a simple track straight down the length of the garden – and it really snowballed from there.
‘I didn’t want to do it by halves so I really went for it, installing mini-stations, creating a siding, building a carriage shed for all of my different locomotives and even raising some of the railway off the ground.’
The Openreach worker now has plans to expand onto an area of disused land beyond his home as a result of the stellar reaction he has had from the community.
‘If the forestry commission were to give me permission, I’d also love to build into all the unused land behind my house, but that’s very much a dream at the moment,’ Mr Roe said.
‘Until then, the next step on my agenda is to build through the winter for next summer.
‘I’m extending the railway even further with a bridge that goes over my pond. I don’t think it will be entirely plain sailing, but I enjoy the challenge and it’s what makes me tick.’
‘I know this isn’t your bog-standard hobby – a bit round the bend, if you will – but the reception I’ve had off the back of it has been amazing, so I’m always thinking about the next step.’
It comes as new Openreach research reveals almost half of those living in the UK (46%) take the time to volunteer in their communities.
Mr Roe added: ‘People in my local community just love it. A friend’s nephew has autism and is really into trains himself, so I invited him to come down to take a look at it.
‘His face absolutely lit up when he got to ride on the locomotive, and so I thought I’d open it up to other parents whose children might be interested.
‘We held days where people could give the trains a go, accompanied by other attractions at the house such as a classic car show outside on the street, and people absolutely loved it.
‘Our biggest showing managed to raise over £500 for The Rosie May Foundation, and we’re hoping we can top that at the next one for the John Eastwood Hospice.’
