Talented 12-Year-Old Wins 'Train Of The Future' Art Competition

LNER and the National Railway Museum have announced Joseph Strek as the winner of their ‘Design the train of the future’ children’s art competition.

The contest forms part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations as the rail industry marks the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway – the world’s first modern passenger railway.

Young people between the ages of 12 and 17 were asked for their designs of what the train of the future may look like and were encouraged to consider speed, practicality, passenger experience and sustainability. Joseph, from Cheshire, beat stiff competition from entrants across the UK to take the top prize, which includes a ‘money can’t buy’ Azuma train cab ride experience and LNER First Class family train tickets.

Joseph’s winning futuristic design named ‘The Green Rocket’ is powered by turbine technology and features braille wayfinding, solar panels and an eye-catching livery that reflects past locomotives. Inspired by the iconic ‘Stephenson’s Rocket’ designed in the early 1800s, Joseph wanted to celebrate the pioneering days of Rocket, and the Streamliner years of the thirties with a modern environmentally friendly twist. Judges noted Joseph’s artistic attention to detail and emphasis on accessibility and sustainability for his win.