my own back garden!

(All copyright Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing 1.6.2014)

FACEBOOK - MINIATURE RAILWAYS

As far as I know this is the first railway of any type in Hartcliffe, south Bristol. It's 7¼" gauge and runs the length of my garden, linking the incinerator, shed, compost bins and outbuildings. It's about 25-30 feet in length! The only piece of rolling stock is a tipper wagon, which is currently pushed by hand. I do have a long term aim of getting a small loco.

The line was originally sited at Horningsham in Wiltshire, about a mile from the 15" gauge Longleat Railway. I had a much bigger garden there and had an elaborate route planned with a large oval and a couple of branches. Unfortunately it was a rented property and the Longleat Estate built a ROAD through the middle of my garden, killing the railway stone dead.

So when I inevitably moved the line came with me, and probably sees more use here than it did at Horningsham. Sadly there's no scope for expansion although my neighbour was keen to extend the line into her garden, until we built a wall!

This does show that almost anyone can have their own little railway if they want one!

britain's most obscure line?

This was the Horningsham and Mintsbury Light Railway, a 7¼" line that could be found in my old garden! In February 2008 I moved to Bristol and unfortunately the line had to be lifted. The garden here is much smaller but I have put in four panels, just for old time's sake!


Recovered track in the courtyard.

(All 18.2.2008)