A train buff has spent more than 30 years building a stunning working miniature railway track - in his own back garden.<br /><br />Derek Burwell, 84, created the 272 yard line around the edge of his 40ft (12m) wide garden at his home in Pelsall, Walsall, West Mids.<br /><br />The train-mad OAP travels around the track in eight mini engines he built from hand himself and has spent thousands of pounds on his hobby since 1993. <br /><br />Derek constructs everything from a workshop at the end of his garden where he can spend hours on end each day building and restoring old engines. <br /><br />His garden also features a host of railway memorabilia - including a 100-year-old signal he reclaimed from a level crossing which now sits in the middle of his lawn.<br /><br />The track is made from timber and aluminium while he has a mixture of electric and battery-powered engines as well as petrol-driven hydraulic ones.<br /><br />Grandfather-of-two Derek said he decided to build his own garden track as it had always been a life-long dream of his since falling in love with trains as a child.<br /> <br />He said: "It gave the neighbours a bit of a surprise when they saw I had my own railway track but it's something I've always wanted to do.<br /><br />"I used to enjoy riding the train in Walsall Arboretum but that closed down due to health and safety issues in the late 80s.<br /><br />"The council did not bother to to fix the problem and just closed it down, which was sad.<br /><br />"So I thought I'd build one myself. Now I can now ride my train whenever I like because it's in my back garden.<br /><br />"I dread to think what I've spent on it over the years. There's been a couple of grand here and there but I haven't really kept count.<br /><br />"But it has kept me busy and still does now as a I continue to restore little locos in my carport. I just enjoy doing it."<br /><br />The father-of-two's obsession with locomotives began when he was a child when his dad took him to work at Birmingham Coach and Carriage Company.<br /><br />He then spent his working life repairing and restoring engines, rolling stock and carriages before he finally retired.<br /><br />Derek added: "I have always been into locomotives. My dad would take me to work and I would get to sit in all these amazing engines. One was built for the late Queen.<br /><br />"As I got older, I thought it would be a nice hobby and keep me busy. It's better I'm doing this than being stuck in front of the TV all day. <br /><br />"It keeps me really active and I enjoy it. Not many people can say they have a fully working railway in their back garden.<br /><br />"There are some fabulous miniature railways across the country but you have to know where to find them. People like to keep them a secret."<br /><br />Derek lives alone after being widowed three years ago following the loss of his wife Margaret, who died aged 73.<br /><br />He still sees his daughter and two grandchildren regularly and even gets grandson Thomas to help him out with odd jobs. <br /><br />He said: "My grandson helps me out with my jobs, he can weld, and I have passed my love of trains on to him.
