Community Rail Cumbria, Northern and The Maryporters have been working in partnership with the staff and apprentices at Gen2 to design and produce a wonderful bespoke train planter for the bi-directional platform at Maryport Station.

The project was inspired by a train built by Tony Messenger, a trainer at Gen2 who sadly passed away. Welding & Fabrication Trainer/Assessor Simon Farrar set a challenge for the group of young apprentices, as part of their course work, to design and build a train to be used as a planter at the railway station. Over several months, Simon and the apprentices took this from an idea to the final build.

Station adopters, The Maryporters, engaged with the teachers and pupils from Netherall Secondary School, who assisted with the planting of flowers at the railway station, including the new train planter. With the support of Northern and ISS, the train planter has now been installed and sits proudly on the platform for all to see.

The official launch took place on Tuesday 11 July, with representatives from Community Rail Cumbria, Northern, ISS and The Maryporters, who were all present to witness the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Tony. Following on from the success of this project, Community Rail Cumbria are now in the process of working with Gen2 on ideas for a future project at Whitehaven Station.

Warren Birch, Community Rail Cumbria‘s Partnership Officer, said: “Working with Gen2 has provided a fantastic opportunity for both the apprentices and the world of rail, and a fitting tribute to Tony. The new links with Netherall Secondary School will hopefully see a newfound respect in the town for the railway station and surrounding areas, helping reduce anti-social behaviour.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects, and events from Community Rail Cumbria via their website.