He’s one of the best-selling artists of all time, but it turns out that Rod Stewart has something more than just a passion for music, recently showcasing a massive model train city he’s spent 23 years building
What’s the first thing you think of when someone says the name Rod Stewart? Personally, I think of my mother’s collection of his records, with that raspy voice belting out ‘Maggie May’ or ‘Sailing’ with every spin.
However, if there’s one thing that his fans rarely associate with the music icon, it’s a love of model trains.
Yes, as the BBC reports, Rod Stewart recently took part in an interview with Railway Modeller magazine to show off a massive railway city inspired by ’40s-era New York and Chicago that he’s been working on for more than 23 years.
With bridges, buildings, houses, tracks, and more detail than an English teacher could ever request, it’s one of the most impressive things that Stewart has ever put his name to.
“I would say 90% of it I built myself,” the singer explained in an interview with BBC Radio 2. “The only thing I wasn’t very good at and still am not is the electricals, so I had someone else do that.”
“A lot of people laugh at it being a silly hobby, but it’s a wonderful hobby.”
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Rod Stewart's model railway inspired by postwar Manhattan – a design which took him 20+ years to build, and spans 1,500 square feet – looks the absolute shit. pic.twitter.com/epDlRlRgFf
— Martyn McLaughlin (@MartynMcL) November 13, 2019
Having released over a dozen albums since he kicked off its construction, Rod Stewart clearly takes this impressive feat rather seriously, having dedicated the entire third floor of his Beverly Hills mansion to this behemoth of engineering, which spans 1,500 square feet.
Speaking to Railway Modeller, the 74-year-old revealed that he would work on the buildings and scenery while out on tour, even going so far as to request an additional room for construction at hotels.
“We would tell them in advance and they were really accommodating, taking out the beds and providing fans to improve air circulation and ventilation,” he explains.
“When I take on something creative like this, I have to give it 110%. For me it’s addictive. I started, so I just had to finish.
“I’m lucky I had the room. If I’d have realised at the start it would have taken so long, I’d have probably said, ‘No! No! Nah!'”
In related news, Rod Stewart recently announced an Australian tour for October and November of 2020, including a number of headline dates and appearances at A Day On The Green festivals around the country. Check out all the details below.
Check out ‘Maggie May’ by Rod Stewart:
Rod Stewart The Hits! Tour 2020
Saturday, October 17th, 2020
Sandalford Estate, Perth, WA
Wednesday, October 21st, 2020
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Saturday, October 24th, 2020
Roche Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW
Wednesday, October 28th, 2020
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday, November 4th, 2020
Federation Mall, Canberra, ACT
Tickets on sale from 9am local time on Friday, November 22nd
Optus pre-sale begins at 1pm local time on Tuesday, November 19th, and runs 48 hours
Also appearing at A Day On The Green
Sunday, October 25th, 2020
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, NSW
Saturday, October 31st, 2020
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
Saturday, November 7th, 2020
Sirroment Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
