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'I built a big boy's train set in my back garden'

Charlie O'LoughlinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
News imageJAMES ARDIN A mixed group of adults and children are sitting on the carriage of a miniature, ride-on train, behind an old-fashioned engine made of wood and black metal. The railway line can be seen snaking around a large garden, with shed-type buildings in the background. Two men are standing on wooden decking to the left. It is a sunny day, with a blue sky and green trees in the background.JAMES ARDIN
James Ardin (in green shirt) says the line has been very well received

It was always his dream to have a "big boy's train set" – and now James Ardin has built one in his back garden.

His miniature, ride-on railway runs on a three-and-a-half acre (14,000sq m) plot at the family home in Holmpton, East Yorkshire.

Called the Great Withernsea Railway, after the nearby seaside resort, it is proving so popular with visitors that a Bonfire Night event has sold out.

"There isn't anything like it for miles around," said Mr Ardin, a dad of two. "It's a nice family day out and it's been very well received."

News imageJAMES ARDIN A small blue and black steam train with "C R" on its side and a red front plate labeled "CR 273" sits on a narrow-gauge track. Four people are riding the train: an adult man in front, two children in the middle, and a woman holding a baby at the back. The background shows green grass, trees, and a wooden fence in a park-like settingJAMES ARDIN
James and his family open their railway to the public three times a year

Mr Ardin loves trains so much he spends his days working in the rail industry – before going home to operate his self-built narrow gauge line, which has three locomotives.

He began planning the railway even before buying the house with his wife.

"I was looking for a nice little property, but equally I was looking for quite a lot of land and we struck it lucky with this one.

"I'd started writing out, drawing the plans and mapping the railway before we'd even put a bid in."

News imageJAMES ARDIN Three men sit on three miniature trains on two rail tracks. The man at the front has white hair, sunglasses, a pink jumper and black jacket- he has his hands folded in front of him and looks away. The man back left has blue overalls, black sunglasses and looks down at his phone. The final man on the right smiles at the camera - he has a wide brimmed hat and a blue jumper on.JAMES ARDIN
The locomotives include battery, diesel and steam-powered examples

Mr Ardin said life as a trainspotter began thanks to his grandad, Peter Milner.

"He was always a big fan of steam trains and took me around the country and that's basically where my love of them started."

He now has two children of his own, aged 12 and five, who are "pretty much growing up to be railway children".

"My son drives the trains very well and my daughter is learning – so they're doomed from the start," he joked.

News imageJAMES ARDIN Two men and a boy stand outdoors in front of a wooden fence and a miniature train. On the left, an elderly man wearing a beige hat, glasses, checkered shirt, beige cardigan, and brown jacket holds a cane. In the middle, the man in a green polo shirt, who has an arm around his child - who is dressed in dark blue overalls and cap with an ID badge. Greenery and part of a miniature railway are visible in the background.JAMES ARDIN
James Ardin with his grandad and son

"It's actually my wife I feel sorry for, it's her that can't escape it," he added.

"But I suppose it keeps us out of her hair."

Mr Ardin began work on the line in 2020 and the family open their garden gates a few times a year to give visitors a chance to get "all aboard".

More than 100 people are due to join the sold-out Bonfire Night event on 1 November.

"If it goes well this year, then we'll be able to host it again the next, and hopefully it'll become a bit of a tradition for the railway and the local community," he said.

News imageJAMES ARDIN Two men and a woman stand next to a small green steam train with a red front plate, on a track at a station platform marked with the number 3. Two men are standing to either side of the train, and a woman sits on it. Behind the train is a wooden canopy over the platform and tracks curving into the background surrounded by greenery.JAMES ARDIN
Mr Ardin's friends help him run the railway, which even has a station

The railway is run by volunteers who travel from around the country to help.

It already includes a miniature steam train, but Mr Ardin has "bigger and better plans" for the future, which involve expanding into a second field and adding more locomotives and rolling stock.

"It's a bit of a funny one really, because it is still my house," he said.

"You could call it a big boy's train set around my house."

News imageJAMES ARDIN A man standing inside the cab of a steam train. He is wearing a dark flat cap and a blue work jacket over a red collared shirt- and has dark soot on his face. He holds onto a large red metal lever with one hand. Surrounding him are various copper pipes, valves, and gauges. The background outside the train window shows green leaves.JAMES ARDIN
James Ardin driving a full-size train

"I've got to keep the wife happy as well, so I can't do too much," he said. "And I've got to be courteous towards our neighbours.

"They've got a lot of patience with me running my trains next to their houses."

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