Pupils celebrate rail heritage with new artwork at Fenland stations

Above: Cllr Brenda Barber and Cllr Chris Seaton join pupils and staff from All Saints Interchurch Academy for the Railway200 art unveiling at March Station

Budding artists from Manea Community Primary School, All Saints Interchurch Academy in March, and Park Lane Primary School in Whittlesey created designs inspired by trains from the past, present and future, to help celebrate Railway200, marking 200 years of railway in Britain.

The project was led by the Hereward Community Rail Partnership (CRP) as part of its Railway200 celebrations, and delivered in partnership with youth organisation 20Twenty Productions, and local artist Ric Savage.

Above: The artwork created by pupils at Manea Community Primary School, proudly on display at Manea Station

As part of the project, two classes from each school enjoyed a presentation from the Hereward CRP, exploring how rail travel has changed over the centuries and how it has shaped communities across the Fens.

Then, using iPads supplied by 20Twenty Productions, Ric taught the pupils how to use a digital art app to create their very own train designs - with brilliant results! There were ladybird trains, ice cream trains and flying trains to name just a few!

Their designs were then edited, collated and printed by 20Twenty Productions, ready to be proudly displayed at the railway stations.

Above: The artwork created by pupils at Park Lane Primary School, proudly on display at Whittlesea Station

The artwork was unveiled at each of the stations earlier this month by Chairman of Fenland District Council, Cllr Brenda Barber, and CRP representatives. Cllr Chris Seaton, Chairman of the Hereward CRP, and Ric also attended the March unveiling, with station adopter Peter Townrow attending the Manea unveiling and station adopter Geoff Howes joining the Whittlesey one.

Cllr Brenda Barber, Chairman of Fenland District Council, said: "It was an absolute joy to see the pupils' artwork go on display at the stations. The partnership between schools, artists and community rail has produced something truly special for everyone to enjoy."

Cllr Chris Seaton, Chairman of the Hereward CRP, added: "This project has been a brilliant way to connect young people with the rich history of our local railway. The artwork they've created is bright and colourful and looks amazing on display. Well done to everyone who took part!"

Funding from the project came from the Hereward CRP, via train operating partners, 20Twenty Productions and Fenland District Council's Culture Fund.

Katherine Nightingale, Chief Executive and Creative Director at 20Twenty Productions, based in March, said: "Sharing heritage through the arts has been a wonderful way for children to engage with the rich history of the railways in Britain. Sharing their artwork for thousands of travellers to see at the three railway stations is an amazing outcome. 20Twenty Productions has enjoyed every minute of this project - the children have been inspiring, and the partnership work with the artist, the Hereward Community Rail Partnership team and the schools has been a delight. We look forward to working together again in future to bring more big public exhibitions to the Fens."

Artist Ric Savage added: "As a freelance artist, this has been a fantastic project to work on. It is a real pleasure to be involved. Working with kids is always a privilege. The pupils involved from all three schools worked so hard on this project. They were captivated by the history of train travel and emersed themselves in the design of the trains from the past, present, and let their imaginations run wild, with visions of futuristic trains."

The Hereward CRP, managed by Fenland District Council, champions the railway line through the Fens, enhancing stations along the Peterborough to Ely route, including Whittlesea, March and Manea.

• For more information on the Hereward Community Rail Partnership, visit: Hereward Community Rail Partnership

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October 2025