The Edinburgh-based 6VT Youth Community Rail Partnership (CRP) has teamed up with CrossCountry Trains to create a fun and educational activity pack that teaches young people about rail safety in an exciting and interactive way.

Launching in the same year that Britain celebrates 200 years of modern railways, the ‘Rail Explorers’ Activity Book’ introduces primary school-aged children to the importance of train travel while also helping them learn how to stay safe near the tracks.

The ideas for the pack’s content came directly from the young people involved in 6VT, the only youth-led CRP in Britain. They wanted to make it not only an educational tool, but also a resource to encourage children to see trains as part of Britain’s history, their daily lives, and their own futures.

Designed to suit different learning styles, the pack is full of bright visuals, hands-on activities, and playful tasks. Developed with i-Creation, it includes colouring pages, a quiz, puzzles, and even a cut-out train model for children to build, making the experience even more interactive.

6VT Youth CRP is committed to helping children and young people build a positive relationship with the rail network. Their goal is to make train travel safer, more inclusive, and accessible while also promoting sustainable travel as a greener way to get around.

Fiona Horne, operations manager at 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, where the CRP is based, said: “This activity pack is a fantastic way to get children thinking about rail safety in a fun and engaging way. By making these important messages accessible and enjoyable, we can help children feel more confident when using the railway.”

CJ McLeod, 17-year-old chair of the CRP, said: “As young people ourselves, we know how important it is to feel safe and informed when using public transport. We wanted to make something that children would enjoy while learning key safety tips at the same time.”

Alex Bray, stakeholder liaison manager at CrossCountry Trains, added: “We’re proud to support this project. Helping young people develop safe rail habits early on in life benefits everyone – passengers, staff, and the wider community. It’s fantastic to see the 6VT Youth CRP leading the way.”

The first copies of ‘Rail Explorers’ were handed out by CRP members to young people and families on a CrossCountry service from Edinburgh to Penzance, and the activity pack will soon be made available to schools, youth groups, and members of the public. For more information, please contact: fionahorne@6vt.info.

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from 6VT Youth CRP via their Facebook page.