The idea was to highlight the work of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership to a young and diverse audience in an engaging way.
SCRP was invited to attend two community events in June 2026.
The first was a careers fair at Mulberry St Leonards Academy. The second was the two-day Bluebell Railway model railway show.
Marshlink line officer Paul Bromley liaised with the school and the heritage railway to discuss what would be the most appropriate materials and content to display.
We decided to use Box End Green, the miniature model railway layout created inside four box files which was shortlisted for a Community Rail Award in 2026.
We also took to the school one of our banners showing modern railway jobs which formed part of the Railway 200 ‘blue plaques’ project.
Alongside those, we gave away South Eastern Railway stickers to students attending the careers fair. At the Bluebell Railway, Arlo’s Adventures rail safety books and I-Spy on a train journey books were given to those viewing our display.
More than 1,200 young people from across Hastings and the surrounding area attended the school’s largest ever careers day. Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye, also came along and spoke to SCRP staff.
Families attending the Bluebell show were impressed with the work of the Community Rail Partnership featured in the various box files.
They congratulated SCRP on promoting rail safety and efforts to make the railways more accessible.
SCRP has been invited to attend further model railway shows in 2027 to display the box file layout and engage with families.
'The best display in the careers day! Inspiring - and practical'
'Good to see another CRP spreading the word'