CrossCountry train driver brings railway roots to life at BBC Gardener’s World Live

Andrew Christie, a Birmingham-based Driver Instructor, has created a unique garden blending his passion for railways with horticulture, with a working garden railway weaving through carefully curated planting. The ambitious project has been months in the making, with more than a week spent on site at the NEC bringing the intricate design to life.

The idea was sparked during a visit to last year’s show with his young son. Inspired by imaginative planting displays which included Lego figures nestled among borders, Andrew saw an opportunity to tell his own story through a railway-themed garden.

“I wanted to create something that captured the magic of trains but also felt personal,” said Andrew. “Railways have been a huge part of my life, and this garden brings together my career, my volunteering and my family.”

The build is anything but small-scale. Two raised beds, each measuring 7.5 by 4.5 metres, form an L-shaped layout. One side reflects real-life railway lineside planting, including wildflowers and silver birch, while the other uses dwarf conifers and alpines to create a scaled-down world for the model trains.

Incredibly personal touches are interwoven into the garden design. A section of narrow-gauge track marks the 75th anniversary of the railway preservation movement, while a symbolic ladder represents Andrew’s 30-year journey as a volunteer on the Severn Valley Railway, from cleaner to driver. The top rung is deliberately left empty, in tribute to those who trained and inspired him.

“It’s about recognising the people who pass skills on,” Andrew added. “Now, in my role training drivers, I’m proud to be continuing that legacy.”

The garden also features a pond, a narrow-gauge railway track, a signal box lamp and heritage railway fire buckets brimming with red poppies. The garden has been a true community effort, with fellow railway volunteers Andrew has met over the years contributing everything from hand-made railway signals to bringing their own model trains to run on the tracks, helping bring the display vividly to life.

Greenfingers Charity, a children’s charity which builds hospice gardens and therapeutic gardens, has donated around 90% of the plants used in the display, with Andrew’s wife Louise and volunteers leading on planting.

The Christie family’s commitment to community runs deep. Just days before the show build, they hosted one of their regular open garden events at home in Bournville, welcoming more than 300 visitors and raising over £500 for charity.

BBC Gardener’s World Live takes place from 18 to 21 June at the NEC Birmingham, with Andrew’s Gold Award-winning garden expected to be a highlight for visitors and railway enthusiasts alike. The showcase garden has been funded by a range of partners, including CrossCountry.