Young people create railway themed arch at Duffield station

A new decorative metal archway, created by young people, has been installed to enhance the entrance to Duffield Station.

The arch has been designed and created by a group of young people gaining an Engineering Skills qualification in welding and fabricating. Eight young people achieved a Level 1 NCFE Award in Industry Specific Engineering Skills while gaining a real insight into industry requirements.   The training course was delivered by Engineered Learning in Derby who developed the project with Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership and East Midlands Railway (EMR).

Engineered Learning taught the young people welding and fabricating skills and provided them with practical experience in a real workplace environment.   As part of their training, they took part in a range of activities including team building, a rail safety talk, a tour of Derby station, visiting EMR’s train depot and a personal development and careers advice session, giving an insight into potential future opportunities.

The young people also enjoyed a factfinding train trip on the Derwent Valley Line with a visit to both the EMR and Ecclesbourne Valley Railway stations at Duffield.  This provided inspiration for the creation of the arch which comprises both heritage steam and modern locomotives as well as flowers and trees to represent the rural nature of the area.

The young people’s designs were considered by a group of community and railway stakeholders, with the final design transformed using Computer Aided Design, prior to being cut into the stainless steel and welded into the arch by the young people.

Councillor Trevor Ainsworth, Chair of the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership said: “The young people should feel very proud of the fantastic archway they have created for Duffield station.  It is very satisfying to have enabled the young people to gain practical engineering skills and work experience with Engineered Learning.”

Dan Read, Managing Director of Engineered Learning said “Here at Engineered Learning this was the perfect project to both promote the use of the railways to young people for leisure access to Matlock via the Derwent Valley Line or wider social mobility along with developing employment and life skills. It was also fantastic opportunity for our students to create a lasting legacy that they can look back on during their careers, to be able to show family and friends what they are capable of, for our disadvantaged young people to be able display what they have achieved is priceless.”

Paul Webster, Support and Development Manager at Community Rail Network said, “It is pleasure to see how students from Engineered Learning have gained practical career and life skills by creating this impressive and lasting legacy for the local community and railway passengers of Duffield to admire. We encourage young people to get involved with the rail industry and their local community so are pleased to have been able to contribute towards this excellent and fulfilling scheme.”

Donna Adams Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway said “We are honoured to have been able to contribute to such a valuable project for the young people and the local community of Duffield. Those involved in the project should feel very proud of what they have achieved and the new skills that they have learnt and gained. The archway is a lovely addition to the station for everyone to enjoy.”

The project has been funded by Community Rail Network, Derbyshire Police & Crime Commissioners Fund, Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership, East Midlands Railway and the Open Gate Trust.