Community Rail Lancashire (CRL) played a key role in welcoming the Railway 200 Inspiration Train to Blackpool North, supporting Network Rail and Northern from 4–7 November. The event engaged local schools, families, and rail enthusiasts, showcasing the excitement of rail travel and careers in the industry.
Each morning, CRL coordinated visits for four schools, hosting over 300 students aged 7–18 from 15 schools from Blackpool, Manchester, Preston, Chorley, Accrington, and Burnley. Almost every student group arrived by public transport, highlighting the importance of sustainable travel, with Northern providing free train travel for school groups.
Students enjoyed an immersive day with Network Rail volunteers, meeting engineers, project managers, and timetable planners, and participating in hands-on activities across three interactive zones:
- Past Zone: Students tested their knowledge with quizzes.
- Present Zone: Participants built bridges and explored engineering challenges.
- Future Zone: Young people learned about the diverse careers available within the railway industry.
The event proved memorable for attendees—one Year 3 pupil described it as “the best day ever!” while a teacher admitted it was the first time she had ever seen two of her pupils smile.
Afternoons were equally popular, with public slots selling out quickly. More than 1,000 visitors explored the interactive zones before arriving at the Partner Zone, where CRL was based. Guests discovered more about CRL’s work, tried career themed dress up activities, and collected leaflets showcasing local walking routes. Younger visitors were delighted to take home their very own copy of Arlo’s Adventures.
The visit was part of the Railway 200 programme, celebrating the rich history of the UK’s railways and inspiring the next generation to consider careers in the industry.
