OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. — It's not every day you step outside your backyard and see an entire rail system planted there. When you scale it down, the idea becomes more of a reality, and it has become a reality for a local family in Owens Cross Roads.
Grant Sweer plays the role of train operator, while his wife Jenny is in charge of gardening and decorating. Together, this married couple has brought Grant Funk Railroad to life over the last few years.
"I had many hobbies over my life and this one I finally settled in on because there was something I can bring my wife into," Grant said. "I never thought I'd be an adult decorating large scale like this again. I had a dollhouse as a kid, but it's fun," said Jenny.
When the two moved here from California, something was mandatory. "The backyard was a big part of his decision on what houses [Grant] liked," said Jenny.
Grant has loved trains his whole life. He said, "Trains were one of the things that I loved as a kid and this is a real fun hobby." This hoppy has now brought a mini railroad to the maximum level, but it's all in the small details. Jenny mentions how the trees featured throughout the place aren't supposed to reach higher than three feet high. "I have to bonsai them some," she said. "She goes out and finds all of the little Christmas stuff and all the detail stuff and then set them out," said Grant, "Basically, I just get it to work and she makes it look good."
From little trees to tiny homes, hundreds of people every year may come into this world feeling like giants, but leave with even bigger smiles. Grant and Jenny say that's one of their favorite parts of putting on the show. Jenny said, "Seeing their faces and watching how excited they get and they run around and follow the trains and just have a good time and I love that part." Grant said, "Having them come out to see it, to enjoy, to be inspired by it, we love it."
The other big positive is sharing the hobby together. "That was something I really, really wanted to have, is something that we can both do together," said Grant.
Grant tells us the railroad isn't complete just yet and looks forward to keeping his love of trains going strong down the tracks.
To find more information on the attraction and their operating hours, click here.