Press release —
Stevenage youngsters primed as tomorrow’s engineers as Thameslink and Great Northern help 100 primary school students design model trains
Model trains built by 100 schoolchildren from across Stevenage have been put to the test by an expert panel of Thameslink and Great Northern judges as part of a programme to encourage the nation’s future engineers.
Train engineers have gone into nine primary school classrooms across Stevenage as part of the Primary Engineer programme, funded by the train companies, to help youngsters build their very own model trains – fostering an interest in STEM subjects and with the hope of encouraging future careers on the railway.
The model trains, constructed by the children, aged between 5 and 11, were put to the test and judged at the Stevenage Art and Leisure Centre on Wednesday (June 6) in front of an expert panel who handed out prizes for best designs, communication and teams among other awards.
Stability, speed, design, and teamwork were all put to the test at the event on specially-made courses. Each model train was designed by the young people with replica Underground trains, Spongebob-Squarepants inspired trains and palaces with wheels all making an appearance.
Steve Lammin, Thameslink and Great Northern’s Engineering Director said: “Designers, makers and fixers help keep our world moving and I’m extremely proud of the relationships our engineers have built with these budding young engineers.
“Our depot floors are packed full of people who love the engineering environment, they play their part in keeping millions of passengers moving, and I’ve seen a few future prospects today, to join a fantastic team when they’re a little bit older!”
Primary Engineer is an educational-not-for-profit which brings together companies, teachers and children – equipping them with the knowledge and tools to explore engineering as a subject from a young age.
Chris Rochester, Primary Engineer’s Head of Partnerships, said: “Understanding what engineering is and the possibilities within rail from an early age is essential to allow pupils who might not consider it the opportunity to identify themselves with engineering and technology and to develop creative design, build make skills as well as key skills such as problem finding and problem solving.
“It’s been wonderful working in partnership with Great Northern and Thameslink to bring The Primary Engineer Rail Programme to schools in Stevenage."
Ten engineers, including some of the train operators’ apprentices, supported the children in their classrooms to build their own trains; shoeboxes for the younger children and electrically-powered trains for the older ones.
Andrew Bolton, Engineering Data and Information Systems Manager for Thameslink and Great Northern, who has mentored the young people at Benington Primary School said: “I had a really good time with the children at Benington Primary School. It was organised chaos in the classroom, but they really enjoyed it; learning measurements, maths, terminology and design.
“It’s important we do projects like this within our communities, getting young people involved and showing that engineering can be for them. It isn’t necessarily about getting dirty with tools – it can be creative, inventive, and the rewarding feeling when you solve a problem is fantastic.”
Ruth Busby, Thameslink and Great Northern’s People Director said: “The railway needs tens of thousands of people to keep the tens of millions of people who use it each day moving. We’re set on investing in the right talent for our jobs and fostering the next generation of engineers today.
“It was great to see so many young people excited about engineering, including girls, and we’ve tailored apprenticeship programmes to encourage women into careers with us, as we want to be representative of everyone who uses our railway.
“There is no ‘mould’ to fit into; just a keen attitude, curious mind and a willingness to learn more and play a part in a constantly innovating industry.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Picture highlights are attached to this press release. For further pictures and B-Roll video please contact the press office at press.office@gtrailway.com
The participating schools include:
- Our Lady Catholic Primary School - Hitchin
- Knebworth Primary and Nursery School - Knebworth
- William Ransom Primary School - Hitchin
- St John's CofE Primary School - Welwyn
- Birchwood Avenue Primary School - Hatfield
- Howe Dell Primary School – Hatfield
- Benington Church of England Primary School - Benington
- Martins Wood Primary School - Stevenage
- St Nicholas CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery - Stevenage
The panel of Thameslink and Great Northern experts included:
- Patrick Ladbury – Senior Community Partnership and CSR Manager
- Raj Patel – Head of ERTMS
- Alec Brown – Head of Public Affairs and Community Partnerships
- Steve Lammin – Director of Engineering
- Tracy Jarvis – CSR Manager
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For more information, contact the press office on 0203 750 2031.
GTR
GTR operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
- Thameslink – cross-London services between Bedford/Peterborough/Cambridge and Brighton/Horsham/East Grinstead, and between Luton/St Albans and Sutton/Wimbledon/Rainham; plus services between London and Sevenoaks
- Great Northern – services between London and Welwyn, Hertford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn
- Southern – services between London and the Sussex coast (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne, Bognor Regis, Hastings) and parts of Surrey, Kent and Hampshire (Ashford International, Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Gatwick Express – fast, non-stop direct services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria
www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com
