Ashford station launches a fresh new 'time tunnel' for Railway 200

Station Manager Kyle Miller said: “This joint project working alongside the Kent Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and Ashford College saw us task local schools to give us their artistic interpretation of train stock over the 200 years the railway has been in operation. 

"We also asked students to give us their vision of what the trains of the future may look like, with one lucky winner having their artwork displayed and train tickets for the family to enjoy a day out in London. 

"I want to extend a huge thank you to Kent CRP, Ashford College, all of the young artists, Cactus Graphics, Community Relations Manager Matthew Fraser and my budding photographer on the day Administration Support Donna Logan! Next time you're in Ashford please take time to stop and enjoy the project.”

Kent CRP said: "It felt time to replace the May 2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee community artwork in the station underpass and what better choice than to design artwork to celebrate Railway 200. Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre (AIMREC) enthusiastically engaged to design panels of carefully selected train photos and info for trains which would have travelled through Ashford International through the ages. The College engaged their five East Kent College (EKC) primary schools to colour train templates provided by AIMREC and to design their own trains of the future. 

"The five schools undertook to provide ‘Railway 200 lessons’ whilst the pupils coloured the train templates. The local graphic design agency, Cactus Design Ltd expertly reproduced the artwork from AIMREC and the 5 primary schools onto decals which they carefully installed in 72 panels forming an exciting and interesting entrance from the station’s front foyer to the platform.

"The grand unveiling took place on Friday 26 September when representatives from; Ashford College, the five EKC primary schools (together with teachers and parents) AIMREC, Southeastern and Kent CRP met at Ashford College for speeches prior to walking over to the station and standing by their pictures in readiness to tear off the paper coverings to expose the impressive Railway 200 bonanza! Kent CRP held a pop up at the launch event alongside Ashford College Student’s MacMillan fund raising coffee morning stall – with yummy homemade cakes!

"This project has achieved its many valuable objectives; outcomes have included not least the legacy of the artwork promoting Railway 200 to thousands of passengers every week. The pupils at the five EKC primary schools benefitted from exciting learning opportunities and are now proud to have their artwork displayed at an international station – they were so joyous at the launch event and the parents so proud! This experience has given great confidence to a large number of young people within our community, confidence that will continue to grow as show their artwork to family and friends and speak of Railway 200 for many years to come. AIMREC and Kent CRP are promoted within the logos within each panel – a truly memorable legacy project and occasion for all which lives on through the ‘time tunnel.’

“We are very grateful for the funding which was provided by Southeastern via their Customer and Community Improvement Fund (CCIF) £3,330.”