Sir Rod Stewart recently revealed his plans for his magnificent model railway set after working on the 1,500sq ft layout for two decades.
The impeccably detailed layout considered a masterpiece among enthusiasts, has taken decades to build and currently lives in the attic of the singer’s Los Angeles home.
However, the rock singer, 79, has decided it is time for his masterpiece to be appreciated by others as he aims to give his beloved model train set to the nation.
Sir Rod revealed to The Sun that he has decided to not put the giant model railway in his will for his family.
Instead, he confessed that he would love his local council in Essex to display his creation – with the proceeds going to charity.
Sir Rod Stewart recently revealed his plans for his magnificent model railway set after working on the 1,500sq ft layout for two decades
The impeccably detailed layout considered a masterpiece among enthusiasts, has taken decades to build and currently lives in the attic of the singer’s Los Angeles home
However, the rock singer, 79, has decided it is time for his masterpiece to be appreciated by others as he aims to give his beloved model train set to the nation (Rod pictured with Railway Modeller Magazine editor Steve Flint in 2019)
He said: ‘I’ve never even thought about putting it in my will. It is an absolute masterpiece. It really is. Even if I say it myself.’
He added: ‘I would love to open it up to the public if Essex County will allow me and give the money to charity.’
‘I’d love to do that.’
The extraordinary model is currently in his attic at his home in Los Angeles and is based on 1940’s New York and Chicago.
The model railway set features skyscrapers and warehouses, with sound effects of birds when trains pass through the countryside.
In 2019, Rod insisted that he had built 90 percent of it himself.
He said: ‘The only thing I wasn’t very good at and still am not is the electricals, so I had someone else do that.’
He then admitted that a lot of people ‘laugh’ at it being a ‘silly hobby’ yet he thinks it’s a ‘wonderful hobby’.
Sir Rod revealed to The Sun that he has decided to not put the giant model railway in his will for his family
Instead, he confessed that he would love his local council in Essex to display his creation – with the proceeds going to charity
Sir Rod is a keen model train collector who has spent 30 years designing a model American city at his home in England.
It comes after he revealed he has ‘no fear’ about death ahead of his 80th birthday, adding he aims to stick around for another 15 years, but also acknowledging his ‘days are numbered’.
Despite the rocker getting on in age, he insisted last month that he still has no desire to tone down his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.
Rod began his final Las Vegas residency, after 13 years in the city, last month, and Rod promised he would continue performing and partying in his 90s.
He told The Sun: ‘I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few — probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.’
He admitted: ‘I’m not like I was in the ’70s and ’80s and I can’t stay up all night, get drunk and go mad and still have a voice just like that. Nowadays I have to protect my voice before and after every show.’
But Rod insisted: ‘But no, you think I just have water on my rider? You’re talking to Rod Stewart here, mate. We go mad after every show. There are 13 of us, six women, really great musicians and I make them drink. We absolutely love it.’
Rod, who has had both prostate and thyroid cancer, said: ‘I am more aware of my health now than before. You should be when you start getting on a bit. It’s very important. I am a bit of a hypochondriac. I think men in particular should take advantage of all the wonderful medical science out there.’
Despite this, he revealed he doesn’t take any medication at all apart from the odd anti-inflammatory if his knee is giving him trouble.
Rod said he works out three or four times a day and is kept on the straight and narrow by his personal trainer whom he has been working with for over three decades.
It comes after Rod revealed he has ‘no fear’ about death ahead of his 80th birthday, adding he aims to stick around for another 15 years, but acknowledging his ‘days are numbered’ (pictured in Denmark in June)
He is currently constructing a racing track at his Essex mansion to aid him on his mission to break the world record for the 100m sprint in his age group.
Though Rod is leaving Sin City, where he sold 90% capacity each night, he may be back on stage sooner rather than later. Ron hinted that a short UK tour with Jools Holland is on the cards, to support their 2024 joint album Swing Fever.
For his 80th birthday in January, Rod knows that he will be having a blowout party but revealed that his wife Penny Lancaster, 53, has kept him in the dark about any further details.
His eight children are also said to be heavily involved in the planning. Rod is father to Sarah Streeter, 61; Kimberly, 45, Sean, 44, and Ruby Stewart, 37, with his first wife; Renee, 32, and Liam Stewart, 30, with his second; and Alastair, 19, and Aiden Stewart, 13, with his third, Penny.
