Kentish Express Ashford & District
Full steam ahead! Teens build mini railway... in back garden
Brothers to put on festive event after setting up line around their house
Two teenagers have constructed a miniature railway in their back garden - and hope one day to take it to Victoria Park.
Brothers George and Oliver Stevens have put a steam-powered engine and two carriages on the track, which runs around their home in Kingsnorth.
George, 19, had worked at the Hastings Miniature Railway for a year when his boss said they were getting rid of some items.
The train enthusiasts decided to seize the opportunity after being given enough supplies to start his own version.
Working with Oliver, 16, the pair built the track in their back garden and put a steam-powered engine and two carriages on it.
Successfully having its maiden voyage on March 1, the two will now be hosting their first Christmas event at the end of the month.
The sold-out two-day event on November 30 and December 1 has attracted 163 young visitors - who will each get a present and meet Santa - and more than 80 adults.
George, who is a qualified engineer following a college course, said: “We’re both interested in trains and have been for a very long time.
“At the moment it’s a private railway but we open for public events such as Christmas and summer.
“Mum’s been pretty lenient with it.
“She likes trains as well and told us that if we put it in we had to tidy up the garden first.
“So we put astroturf in and flowerbeds and she seems pretty fine about the whole thing.
“My long-term goal in four years is to have a fully operational business in Victoria Park.”
George - who works for Southern Rail - also increased their engine count by one after building one himself.
Next summer they are planning to host a 1940s day, with a tank-owning friend potentially bringing their vehicle down to the site.
In the meantime the duo are getting stuck into preparations for the festive event, having to build a winter wonderland and grotto from scratch.
Roman ward councillor
Heather Hayward (Ash Ind) said: “The lads raised a huge amount for charity earlier this year at the charity fun day held at the railway and I’m looking forward to supporting the winter wonderland event.”