CRL - Community Rail Lancashire

Families Enjoy A Railway Fun Day At Clitheroe Castle Museum

There was a fun packed free All Aboard Railway Family Fun Day at Clitheroe Castle Museum on Monday 16^th February. Everything was related to trains to celebrate 200 Years of passenger rail travel. The event linked to the free exhibition “Tracks of Life: Trains, People and Places” on display in the Steward’s Gallery, celebrating the life and work of local professional railway photographer, Ken Roberts (1928–2024), on display until 30^th June 2026.

Volunteers came along from Pendle Forest Model Railway Club bringing their Rock ‘n Roll’ dinosaur model railway and the Ribble Valley Live Steamers having their fascinating model engines operating.

Mike Cliffe, Chair of the Clitheroe Line Partnership explained: “I was pleased to be here today for the All Aboard Railway Fun Day which forms part of the celebration of 200 years of passenger railways. The event coincides with the “Tracks of Life: Trains, People and Places” exhibition which is currently on display at the Castle’s Stewards Gallery. It was great to see people of all ages enjoying the hands-on activities with our local artists. We’ve also launched a new line guide and timetable for the Clitheroe Line which has lots of useful information and ideas”.

 

Creative highlights included hopping aboard the Imagination Train with community artist Gosha Gibek, where children decorated their own train wagon, inspired by the poem Locomotive by Julian Tuwim and cyanotype and linocut printing with artist and railway enthusiast Dianne Muldowney. At the Selfie Station children drew their picture to put on the Clitheroe station platform display at Clitheroe Castle, and dressed up in railway outfits. For budding builders, Clitheroe Library’s LEGO Station Master helped families build their own LEGO trains.

There was also a chance to meet award‑winning Lancashire children’s author Susan Brownrigg, who read extracts from her railway adventure book Wrong Tracks, while young railway fans were able to train spot in the Stewarts Gallery looking for Thomas and his Friends, provided for the exhibition by the grandson of Ribble Valley Rail volunteer, Brian Haworth. Youngsters were able to enter the colouring competition too, with the customised picture illustrated by Jenny Czerwonka who has illustrated Susan’s Brownrigg’s book cover.

Claire Sutton, Museum Manager, Clitheroe Castle explained: “The day was a wonderful success, welcoming almost 400 visitors through the doors. There were excellent entries in the colouring competition, fabulous contributors and the model trains were a huge hit with families. If you missed the event, don’t worry — the free exhibition Tracks of Life: Trains, People and Places continues, with plenty still to enjoy.  There’s lots to see in the museum too and kids always go free.

Martin Keating, Community and Sustainability Manager, Northern Railways said: “I am so pleased that this event has come to fruition. This is a great achievement by all concerned – Well done to all our community partners who have made this happen.”

This free event was made possible with funding from the Department for Transport’s Community Rail Development Fund through the Community Rail Network and supported by the Clitheroe Castle Museum and Community Rail Lancashire.