Little Paxton Garden Railway open day to mark 34 years

The Little Paxton Garden Railway was built by the late David Keatley in his garden and garage and is now maintained by Ivan Page, who is married to David's daughter, Sue.

Ivan Page, Pauline Keatley, Ivan's son David Page, his wife, Sue Page and his grandson Jacob help to keep the railway going. (Image: Ivan Page)

Ivan, his son David and his Son Jacob with a photo of Mr David Keatley and his scratch-built locomotives, making up four generations of railway men; a family legacy. (Image: Ivan Page)

The family have been hosting open days since 2009 to allow the public to marvel at the glorious 32-metre Gauge 1 railway track that goes into the garage and shows off intricate and stunning scenery.

The Little Paxton Garden Railway travels around the garden and through the garage. (Image: Ivan Page)

After Mr Keatley's passing in early 2011, Ivan said: "What to do with the railway came after a call from Pauline [my mother-in-law]. 

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"My son David (named after his grandad) had grown up with the railway's development and thus was educated as to how things worked. We both agreed to keep the railway running as a legacy."

Ivan's son David grew up with the railway and watched it evolve under the tutelage of Mr Keatley. (Image: Ivan Page)

This year's second free admission open day is from 2-5pm on August 20 and will raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, with Ivan ramping up the fun by dressing up as a station master to bring the railway to life for everyone.

Ivan and his son dress up as conductors to entertain visitors on their open days. (Image: Ivan Page)

The Little Paxton Garden Railway Open Day poster. (Image: Ivan Page)

Timeline of the Railway 

The first track was laid in 1988 and completed in 1989 when Mr Keatley lived in Somersham.

The railway spanned 43 metres before Mr Keatley moved to Little Paxton in 2008 and revamped the whole design.

Mr Keatley began working on the garden railway in Somersham as a hobby ahead of his retirement. (Image: Ivan Page)

Ivan helped to paint a backboard to look like a scene from the North Yorkshire Moors on a summer's day, and the station inside the garage was named 'Rosedale Abbey' as that was near the railway cottage Pauline's father was born in. 

Ivan helped paint a scene like the North Yorkshire moors on a summer's day on a backboard for the trains to pass by. (Image: Ivan Page)

In 2015, Pauline moved out of the house, which allowed Sue and Ivan to purchase the Bungalow and take custody of the railway.

Ivan and David removed all the tracks and replaced them in 2017 to keep the railway looking and running as good as new. (Image: Ivan Page)

In 2017, Ivan and David repaired and replaced the track with new material to give it a new lease of life to be back up and running in 2018, helping to put a smile on the faces of those who see it and to keep the memory of its eternal station master Mr Keatley going forevermore.

Ivan said he has fun dressing up as the station master and that railways are in his blood as his Grandfather was the Great Paxton signalman. (Image: Ivan Page)

Ivan's grandchildren all love using the railway with a Thomas the Tank Engine even chugging around the tracks. (Image: Ivan Page)

Ivan and his son dress up as conductors to entertain visitors on their open days. (Image: Ivan Page)