Trains in the Garden - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Ftrains-in-the-garden) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Ftrains-in-the-garden) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7e61468b-b303-421e-b602-a08981636f6b/conversions/PXL_20260617_175654281-gallery.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ BBC Gardeners' World Live 2026 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/bbc-gardeners-world-live-2026) Showcase Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-gold/icon.webp) Gold Award Trains in the Garden ====================== Designed by Andrew Christie At a glance Show BBC Gardeners' World Live Year 2026 Category Showcase Garden Photo: GardensDB About this garden The story ----------- Once upon a time, there was a little schoolboy called Andrew who loved nothing more than to climb the fence at the end of his grandparent's garden and watch the trains go by. This is my story of how I fell in love with steam engines and climbed the ladder to become an Engine Driver. Watching steam engines tackle the Lickey Incline behind my grandparents' garden and playing with model railways my father built for me. I started volunteering with the Severn Valley Railway when I was young, and hands-on jobs-plus the thrill of driving a small steam engine at 12-set me on the path to becoming a driver. Over the years I climbed the ladder through training and qualifications, from lighting-up duties to fireman roles, and after an engineering apprenticeship I became a mainline driver. A serious near-miss at a level crossing showed me the weight of responsibility in the role, and my quick response later led to the honour of representing drivers at an event attended by Queen Elizabeth II. I've now spent 20 years driving on the mainline and 15 years with steam, and I work as a Driver Instructor, passing on what others taught me. My passion continues at home in Bournville, where my family and I enjoy our garden railway and support local community and heritage events. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/bbc-gardeners-world-live-gold/icon.webp) Gold Award BBC Gardeners World Live The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ AC Andrew Christie Designer ](https://gardensdb.com/people/andrew-christie) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7e61468b-b303-421e-b602-a08981636f6b/conversions/PXL_20260617_175654281-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/507d907d-f604-4578-be89-64be0800703f/conversions/PXL_20260617_175527296-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3b4ff3c8-24bd-4b5d-8dbb-916cdf80eb6a/conversions/PXL_20260617_175531192.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/3839abaf-08b3-418c-bf7a-ce4f05965dd7/conversions/PXL_20260617_175555819-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/0824406a-e69d-438a-bd98-5dbcee082750/conversions/PXL_20260617_175558504.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5e155646-7b6c-4c8d-87d9-c1a036636dd5/conversions/PXL_20260617_175606400-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c62d94a9-982e-4d43-b371-d2c4aa3afb88/conversions/PXL_20260617_175618699.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5bf4da14-9ae2-4f99-a4cd-608551dbec15/conversions/PXL_20260617_175623947.MP-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/70856a3f-cc78-4da4-8a2e-d7833e96ab4c/conversions/PXL_20260617_175636117-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/1ab8e11e-cadb-4280-ae87-61985848e729/conversions/PXL_20260617_175646953-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/a3e8695c-eb76-44f6-b4fd-df87125ee3ee/conversions/PXL_20260617_175704429-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/a4c90f76-0c3e-4e11-84f2-21eaa93bfe21/conversions/PXL_20260617_175513815-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/01aeaa8f-a6fb-407b-9a66-6aac1af56e29/conversions/PXL_20260617_175547676-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9bedd114-2545-494a-9152-b92f0086ae1b/conversions/image-gallery.webp) ![]() / Photo: ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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