News
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM TRAIN TRANSFORMED IN £30,000 MAKEOVER
20th January 2010
NORTHERN Rail and Eureka! The National Children’s Museum have joined forces in a £30,000 project to turn a 40-year old railway carriage into a playful learning space for thousands of children to enjoy picnics, appreciate rail travel and play safety games.
The multi-use railway carriage at the Halifax children’s museum will be re-opened as ‘Northern Rail at Eureka!’ in time for the February half-term holiday.
The carriage, which is popular with school children and families, has been closed for a four-month restoration programme to bring it to modern high standards that will last and entertain visitors for many years.
The roof has been extensively repaired, the carriage has been painted inside and out, and it will boast new seats, carpets, tables, side panels and windows to look just like a modern Northern Rail train but with an additional educational element.
Families and school groups make up the majority of the 250,000 visitors to the museum every year and they will be able to enjoy hands-on games about the geography and history of the railways in the UK and across the world, plan travel routes and find out more about how to stay safe on the railways.
All of these activities have been planned to link in to the national curriculum.
The project is being led by Northern and Eureka! with sponsorship and support from organisations including British Transport Police, West Yorkshire Councils, WG Tanker, JD Diamond, Unipart, Railcare, RPL, Scarlett Abbott and Allied Scaffolding.
Steve Butcher, Area Director, Northern Rail, said: “When we saw the condition of the train we were very happy to get involved to help the museum and give the children a great place to learn about the railways in a safe, interesting and fun way. This is just one of many projects that we get involved in to support the communities that we serve across the north of England.”
Tudor Gwynn, Projects Director, Eureka!, said: “Many families and groups of schoolchildren have enjoyed spending time inside the train having a picnic. The train carriage is often an exhibit of wonderment to some children who rarely use public transport and provides a novel experience.
“Now they will be able to sit in comfort, eat packed lunches, play games and take part in some really creative activities. We’re thrilled at the support we have received to transform the train because the generous donation of time, materials or sponsorship from the companies involved means the carriage will be used for many years to come.”
Chief Superintendent Peter Holden, British Transport Police said: "This is an exciting project and a great opportunity to work in partnership with Northern and the wider industry to engage with young people – many of whom will never have travelled on the railway - and to educate them on the dangers of the railway and how to use the railway safely.
"We look forward to the carriage being used to its full potential for many years to come."
The train carriage is a Mark 2c coach that was built in 1969 in Derby and has been in place at the museum since 1992. In front of the carriage is a shunting engine built by the Hunslet Engine Company in 1941, which has been repaired and painted.
Eureka! is situated next door to Halifax railway station and is designed especially for children aged up to 11, with over 400 hands-on exhibits inspiring them to learn about themselves and the world around them through imagination, play and discovery. For visitor information call 01422 330069 or visit www.eureka.org.uk.
