[citation needed] Walker began experimenting with a 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature railway in 1910.
In 1912 he decided to build a miniature railway of that gauge in the grounds of Sand Hutton hall.
Most of the local men joined the war effort and the Hall and grounds largely closed.
By the end of the year the trackbed was complete as far as Sand Hutton, and work was underway on the 3-mile (4.8 km) long branch to the brickworks at Claxton.
[1] In December 1920 the Government announced the sale of the equipment from the 18 in (457 mm) gauge railway at the Deptford Meat Depot.