Train-mad dad is well chuffed Half-mile railway track is his garden delight
A RAIL enthusiast has reached his dream destination by completing a half-mile long light railway track in his garden after six years of graft.
Robert Holland, 64, painstakingly worked to create the line, which features a 100ft long tunnel, an engine shed and a turntable – and can transport 24 people.
The funeral director’s obsession with locomotives began when he was a child.
He moved on to model-making before finally creating his own life-size version in his back garden.
The Ropsley Heath Light Railway can now transport passengers around his five acre land at 8mph.
Dad-of-one Robert, of Ropsley Heath, Lincs, said: “I’ve always said
a family house is not a family house without a train set. It has taken a lot of hard work but I’m very happy with how it has all turned out.
“My partner Wendy has been very supportive and understanding. She says it’s bonkers but she loves it.
“It has been six years in the making.
“It’s amazing to look back and think that at the start all there was were some railway gates.
“As a boy I was always fascinated by railways and general model making. And now here I am with my own railway track in my back garden. I don’t know what it’s
cost but it has run into thousands. I couldn’t estimate how much it is worth either but it is priceless to me.”
Robert and a team of volunteers used 900 tonnes of granite to lay the railway track.
The railway is not open to the public but can be used by charities or for private events.
It was officially opened last week by Toby Dennis, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire. He said: “Robert is wonderful in his support of all sorts of things in the county.”
I couldn’t estimate how much it’s worth, but to me it’s priceless
ROBERT HOLLAND ON HIS PRIDE AND JOY