Former railway worker builds train station in garden to go alongside full-size Pullman carriage

A former railway worker has built a train station in his garden to go alongside a full-size Pullman carriage and locomotive.

Paul Chant decided to lay tracks and add a platform and station building to sit next to his old locomotive and British Rail Mark 3 coach at Piltown Farm, near Glastonbury in Somerset.

The 60-year-old train enthusiast has even added level crossing gates to the entrance of his property.

The ‘station’ is now a prominent sight for drivers on the A361 between Glastonbury and Pilton.

Mr Chant says he hopes to one day convert the carriage into a restaurant and even create an operating railway on his land. He said: ‘From a very young age I always loved railways – the noise, the smell and the whole energy about it. From a very young boy I was sold.’

The carriage and locomotive were bought by Mr Chant initially to ensure they were preserved.

He said: ‘They were all facing being scrapped and I thought this is the time now to save that and do something useful with it and probably inspire other people to do so. I just think ”let’s be happy!” There’s nothing else in life but to be happy. This is what it’s all about.’

Piltown Station has a wonderful view north towards the Mendip Hills and Mr Chant believes there is huge potential for the carriage to be used for hospitality.

‘We’ve been approached by several restaurant people,’ he said. ‘If we can find the right chef then we’ve got a rolling business.’