Railway carriage provides unique and inspirational learning environment for Derbyshire school

As part of the tercentenary celebrations at Richardson Endowed Primary School in the village of Smalley, near Heanor in Derbyshire, businesses across the railway industry and local companies have come together to create a unique and inspirational new learning environment for its students.

Porterbrook, the rolling stock owner and asset manager, has donated a former first-class InterCity carriage for use as a new student teaching facility. Network Rail teams from across the East Midlands helped prepare the groundwork and lay track for the carriage to sit on; whilst educational outreach teams from Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works, where the carriage was built in 1985, oversaw key internal modifications to optimise it for use as a school facility.

Contributing much needed-products, services, or donations to the project have been the following suppliers;

Heanor-based eco-product supplier Plaswood;
transport provider GXO;
rail depot and services company Nemesis;
fencing and access solutions provider Secure-a-Field;
rail graphic specialists Charles Rayner;
sign & print designer Derby Sign and Graphics;
engineering company Clarke Engineering Services;
earth moving and plant hire experts Aggrecom;
furniture specialists Martin & Parker.

The repurposed carriage will provide the school with a library and break-out area, and additional learning space. The carriage will also play a major part in the school’s 300th-anniversary celebrations, and the teaching of STEM-based subjects.

Following completion of some final on-train works and the building of a platform walkway, it is hoped to officially launch the carriage on 13th May.
Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook, said

“I am delighted that Porterbrook, and our industry partners have come together to make this project happen. I am particularly pleased that carriage 11088 has found a new home in Smalley, just miles from where she was built at Litchurch Lane Works, in Derby. It is fitting that this retired vehicle will now have a new lease of life, telling the story of our railways and enthusing future generations about STEM subjects and how Britain’s railway makes travel sustainable.”

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Steve Hughes, Programme Director at Network Rail, said

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to support such a worthwhile project. Railway coaches are built to serve, so when they’ve finished their job carrying passengers, it’s brilliant to see them given a new lease of life as unique learning spaces for young people.”

“It’s great to see the positive impact that this carriage can have, especially on such an auspicious occasion, and I want to thank all those that made the delivery of this project possible, including our colleagues at WP Webbs who supplied all the plant.”

Kate Mason, Headteacher at Richardson Endowed Primary School, said

“This last year marks the 300th anniversary of our school, so it feels fitting to celebrate a major milestone with this incredibly exciting project. I know our children will be delighted with this carriage, which has been kindly donated and supported by Porterbrook, Network Rail and Alstom and others.”

“Being the first female Headteacher in the school’s 300-year history, it has long been a passion of mine to provide the children at Richardson Endowed a unique and inspirational learning space. Seeing that dream become a reality is amazing and it is thanks to these wonderful and supportive companies which are enabling this major project to happen.”

Peter Broadley, MD Services, Alstom UK&I, said

“We are delighted to be involved with such an exciting and worthwhile project alongside rail industry partners, and its particularly appropriate that we are given the carriage’s Litchurch Lane origin.”

“Alstom are passionate about inspiring and enthusing our next generation. Through our commitment to CSR and established schools outreach programmes we are proud to be championing the vast opportunities in rail and the vital role these will play in building a more sustainable Britain.”