New train artwork celebrating 2025 UK City of Culture status and local heroes is unveiled by Northern
Train artwork celebrating the Bradford district’s 2025 UK City of Culture status and three of its most famous creatives has been unveiled.
The Brontë sisters, the critically acclaimed poets and novelists who grew up in Haworth, feature on a new train vinyl which also includes depictions of local landmarks like Bradford City Hall, Cartwright Hall, Alhambra Theatre and the statue of author J B Priestley.
Designed to endorse the district's UK City of Culture celebrations, it will be seen by tens of thousands of people in the coming months as the Class 331 train covers hundreds of miles on a daily basis while travelling across West Yorkshire.
The train, which has been named The Bradfordian, will also be used by some of the Northern customers travelling to theatre and dance performances, live music events, film screenings and art exhibitions that are being held across the district this year.
The impressive artwork was revealed by Northern at Bradford Forster Square today (Thursday, 27 March), during a ceremony attended by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council.
Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern in Yorkshire, said: “The City of Culture celebrations are already putting Bradford on the map and making a real difference to local people by boosting a sense of pride.
“That’s why Northern is committed to promoting these fantastic events, supporting the organisers and providing a warm welcome to everyone who visits the district.
“We hope that passengers who see this artwork will take a moment to reflect on Bradford’s unique history and then look ahead to find an event they can attend later this year.”
Mayor Brabin said: “Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 is inspiring creative talent from across the city and beyond, attracting more visitors and investment to the region, and driving jobs and growth in our economy.
“The vibrant artwork on this train is a fitting tribute to Bradford and our region’s thriving creative industries.”
Councillor Hinchcliffe said: “The unique cultural heritage of the Bradford district is being showcased throughout our year as UK City of Culture and having it depicted on a train which travels throughout the district and beyond gives us a great platform to celebrate this.”
Bradford Forster Square is managed by Northern and used by more than 1.9 million people a year.
The station and a Northern train recently featured in the opening episode of the BBC’s new Bradford-based crime drama ‘Virdee’, which is based on the novels of Bradford author A.A. Dhand.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.