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http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.u...iling-idea/article-575490-detail/article.html
MODEL railway enthusiast Keith Beadle has created the ultimate space-saving railway which runs upside down on the ceiling.
The 73-year-old former electrician has spent three years perfecting and patenting his design, which uses magnets to hold the trains and their cargo in place.
Mr Beadle, who lives in Rockwood Avenue, Crewe, has spent £4,500 getting his upside down railway patented and is now looking for a manufacturer to take up his idea.
He created two more railways after the first one, which runs on his
bedroom ceiling.
The other two have been confined to the roof of his garden shed, one of which is a figure of eight shape.
Mr Beadle, who worked for 40 years at Midland Rollmakers, in Crewe, told The Sentinel he has always had a love for model railways and three years ago he came up with his idea of putting a railway on the ceiling.
Mr Beadle said: “It’s just something different, isn’t it?
“I looked at the ceiling and realised it was an empty space just waiting to be filled.
“And it means I don’t have my trains running round the living room casing havoc.
“I’ve spent a lot of hours creating the railways, but I’ve enjoyed every minute. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It’s not like it’s a job. It’s a hobby.
“I’ve always been interested in trains. I’m not sure how I came up with the idea but nobody else has ever thought of it.”
The model trains are held in place on the tracks by magnets but Mr Beadle said occasionally they do fall off the rails.
He said: “Trains can fall off the tracks normally so it does sometimes happen with the model railway but luckily no-one has been underneath at the time.
“The only drawback with the railway is that it can’t have points because of the magnets under the trains.”
Mr Beadle whose other interests are classic cars, music and antiques, said he may make another railway but that it depends if anyone comes along who is willing to invest in his product.
He said: “The problem is that with the current financial climate nobody is willing to invest or take a chance.
“I need to get some backers or there is no point carrying on. I would like to create another one but I need to get some money behind it.
“I’m 73 and can’t carry on doing this for much longer, but if I sell it would have to be for the right price.”
Mike Landon, owner of Alsager Toys And Models, said he didn’t believe upside down railway tracks would be a hit with his customers.
He said: “I wouldn’t imagine the idea of having a train set on your ceiling would go down very well. I’ve seen people who have had sets suspended from their ceilings, but I’ve never heard of anything like this. It sounds a bit over the top to me.”
Has your hobby taken over your home?
MODEL railway enthusiast Keith Beadle has created the ultimate space-saving railway which runs upside down on the ceiling.
The 73-year-old former electrician has spent three years perfecting and patenting his design, which uses magnets to hold the trains and their cargo in place.
Mr Beadle, who lives in Rockwood Avenue, Crewe, has spent £4,500 getting his upside down railway patented and is now looking for a manufacturer to take up his idea.
He created two more railways after the first one, which runs on his
bedroom ceiling.
The other two have been confined to the roof of his garden shed, one of which is a figure of eight shape.
Mr Beadle, who worked for 40 years at Midland Rollmakers, in Crewe, told The Sentinel he has always had a love for model railways and three years ago he came up with his idea of putting a railway on the ceiling.
Mr Beadle said: “It’s just something different, isn’t it?
“I looked at the ceiling and realised it was an empty space just waiting to be filled.
“And it means I don’t have my trains running round the living room casing havoc.
“I’ve spent a lot of hours creating the railways, but I’ve enjoyed every minute. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It’s not like it’s a job. It’s a hobby.
“I’ve always been interested in trains. I’m not sure how I came up with the idea but nobody else has ever thought of it.”
The model trains are held in place on the tracks by magnets but Mr Beadle said occasionally they do fall off the rails.
He said: “Trains can fall off the tracks normally so it does sometimes happen with the model railway but luckily no-one has been underneath at the time.
“The only drawback with the railway is that it can’t have points because of the magnets under the trains.”
Mr Beadle whose other interests are classic cars, music and antiques, said he may make another railway but that it depends if anyone comes along who is willing to invest in his product.
He said: “The problem is that with the current financial climate nobody is willing to invest or take a chance.
“I need to get some backers or there is no point carrying on. I would like to create another one but I need to get some money behind it.
“I’m 73 and can’t carry on doing this for much longer, but if I sell it would have to be for the right price.”
Mike Landon, owner of Alsager Toys And Models, said he didn’t believe upside down railway tracks would be a hit with his customers.
He said: “I wouldn’t imagine the idea of having a train set on your ceiling would go down very well. I’ve seen people who have had sets suspended from their ceilings, but I’ve never heard of anything like this. It sounds a bit over the top to me.”
Has your hobby taken over your home?