Beavering around on the new trains
Northern was delighted to welcome a Bingley based Beaver pack to travel on one of its brand-new electric trains.
The Beavers who are regular helpers at the station’s garden were rewarded for their hard work and community spirit with a special trip on the new Northern train.
Working with station adopters, Friends of Bingley, the young ‘1st Bingley Beaver colony’ have been helping to maintain and grow the garden at the station, ensuring it looks it’s best for rail customers and the town’s visitors.
Recently the children have designed, built and installed bird boxes for the garden, and when asked what they would like to do as a special treat for all their hard work, they requested a ride on the new train and to sit in the driver’s seat!
Northern was delighted to arrange this trip as a thank you.
Richard Isaac, Community and Sustainability Manager for Northern, said:
“It was a fantastic night and lots of the Beavers were saying they want to work for Northern when they grow up. Our Northern colleagues helped to create a special memory for these young Beavers, and they will remember their first trip on a brand new electric train forever.”
On Monday 9 September Northern introduced brand new Class 331 electric trains into passenger service on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines as part of a £500m investment in a fleet of 101 brand new units.
The new trains are now in service between Bradford, Skipton, Ilkley and Leeds and by the end of the year the majority of new trains will be operating across the north of England.
Richard added:
“I would like to thank Friends of Bingley Station, the Northern train planners and our fantastic train crew team for supporting this event. I would also like to particularly thank Joy Smith from the Friends of Bingley Station for her tireless work with the Beavers to educate them on rail safety.
“Of course the Beavers themselves are an inspiration. They work so hard doing lots of positive things for the Bingley community. They thoroughly deserved their special trip.”