Some backyards have a swing set. But this one has a station, a tunnel, and a train that riders can climb aboard! Tucked into the 1.55-acre estate in La Cañada Flintridge, a hillside community about 15 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, is one feature that not many homes can claim. In its backyard, there is a five-passenger garden railway that looks straight out of a fantasy film.When David and Sherry Kirchheimer bought the property in 2008, they discovered remnants of an old backyard railway. Instead of tearing them out, the couple decided to restore them and make the railway part of their home. The estate was sold for $8.5 million in 2025.The listing describes the property as ‘a captivating blend of stately, bucolic and magical’. That’s a lot of adjectives, but the yard earns them. A 50-by-19-foot swimming pool with a diving board sits beside a two-level deck, a rose garden, and a pergola draped in wisteria. There’s a fenced vegetable garden, citrus and oak trees, and a play structure with bridges and climbing walls. It’s more than what one would expect from a home.
A railroad
The main attraction of the property is, of course, the Flintheim Railroad. It is a garden railway built for five passengers. The layout includes a train station with a crossing light, a tunnel, two bridges, a general store, and a mining camp. A replica of the Grizzly Flats Railroad shed also stands on the grounds. “This property has every feature you’d expect in a private estate, plus one not found elsewhere: a custom rideable train,” real estate agent Kathy Seuylemezian said.“The Flintheim Railroad is the modern incarnation of the area’s rich history of backyard trains, including a replica of the famous Grizzly Flats Railroad train shed.”Bill Tyson, a Walt Disney ‘Imagineer’, designed the backyard. “Evoking Disneyland, the railroad includes a train station with a crossing light, tunnel, two bridges, general store and mining camp,” a news release says.
Inside the house
The main house has six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. A grand foyer with a curved staircase leads to formal dining and living rooms. There is also a chef’s kitchen with a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a wine fridge. A downstairs en suite gives guests a room without having to climb stairs.Upstairs, there is the primary suite, which has a sitting room, a fireplace, a balcony, and a bath with a jetted tub and double sinks. Other structures include a one-bedroom guest house, a gym above the garage, a workshop, and a game house with a pool table and a stone fireplace. According to the listing, the home has a 20-kilowatt generator, Ring cameras, and a San Marino security system for added security and convenience. The two-car garage and two-car carport are complemented by a large, flat circular driveway that can securely park a dozen vehicles. “The meticulously landscaped grounds, honoured with multiple ‘La Cañada Beautiful’ awards, are a standout feature,” the listing says.The estate was listed at $8.5 million. The mansion and its backyard quickly attracted buyers. The property’s proximity to the freeway and La Cañada schools also grabbed eyeballs.
