Sir Rod Stewart, 79, slaps away stigma around ’embarrassing’ lifestyle choice as he admits ‘I’m proud!’

Sir Rod Stewart, 79, has defended his beloved hobby as the rock legend revealed how he spends most of his downtime.

Stewart admitted the pastime was his life’s “second” work behind his glittering music career.

The Maggie May hitmaker revealed his great passion for miniature railways in a tell-all interview with enthusiasts’ magazine Railway Modeller.

Stewart featured on the front page of the magazine’s January 2025 issue proudly showing off his impressive collection.

“Because I thought railway modelling and rock’n’roll don’t go together and I was sort of embarrassed,” the 79-year-old told the magazine.

“There was a time I hid away from it,” he admitted, but added: “Not anymore… I’m proud of it.”

Stewart has constructed a huge diorama in his workshop, complete with scale buildings, trees, cars, passengers and 900 feet of track with dozens of trains to run on them.

He has dubbed his impressive collection the Grand Street & Three Rivers Railroad.

The rock icon said: “Music is my main life’s work, but this is definitely second.”

“I would say I spend, on average, four or five hours a day if I can,” he said explaining his dedication to the project.

Stewart beamed that going into his workshop was like: “Entering the gates of heaven for me. It’s just ahhh…this is my time.”

The 79-year-old has rebuilt his entire diorama and extensive workshop in his Essex home, shipping the entire setup 5,000 miles from LA.

The star revealed he spends almost every spare moment in his workshop.

“In twenty minutes, I can get quite a lot done. And it’s really taken over my life somewhat. In a wonderful way,” he said.

Stewart regularly trades models and crafts with fellow enthusiast and musician, Jools Holland.

“He’s a good lad, Jools,” the 79-year-old added as he showed Railway Modeller the scale church Holland had gifted him.

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The Grand Street Railroad, which is outfitted with sound effects and a day-to-night lighting feature, has been completely personalised by Stewart.

“Nearly all the buildings are either scratch-built or adapted from kits. Nothing is recognisable—everything is unique,” he told proudly.

However, the project is far from finished. Stewart, working with professional modelmaker Paul Wells, has big plans for the future.

Stewart told excitedly: “We’re going to add some uplights on some of the buildings and skyscrapers. Then we’re going to have thunder and lightning, everything but rain put in for effects!”