Rail passengers in Essex have been treated to a good ‘old fashioned knees-up’ thanks to the latest themed train event from the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (CRP).

The one-off special train, organised by the CRP, travelled from Colchester to Walton-on-the-Naze on 28 September and passengers were treated to old time music hall songs, frivolity, and a bit of rhyming slang thanks to performer Tom Carradine.

A pianist in the group Champagne Charlie and the Bubbly Boys and regular accompanist on the London cabaret circuit, Tom Carradine launched his Cockney Singalong show to capture the flavour and atmosphere of a good old-fashioned knees up in the grand Cockney tradition and recreate it for audiences young and old.

Jane Stewart, Essex & South Suffolk CRP officer, said: “It is great to have Tom as part of our events programme. The Cockney Singalong event is always really popular and is certainly a bit different, but it marries really well with the nostalgia and excitement of a train trip.

“Our thanks to Tom for a really fun evening full of songs that kept people smiling and singing from beginning to end and thanks to Greater Anglia for supporting the event.”

Alan Neville, Greater Anglia’s customer and community engagement manager, said: “We are really grateful to the Essex & South Suffolk CRP for hosting another fantastic event that encourages people to come and take a trip by train.

“The CRP is always coming up with new and exciting ways to promote sustainable, healthier travel for all and it was a pleasure to see so many people having such a great time on board.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Essex & South Suffolk CRP via their website.

Find out more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.