The Downs Light Railway Trust provides practical learning activities to young people through the maintenance and operation of its light railway. It offers young people the ability to develop technical skills and foundation knowledge in various engineering disciplines and workshop practice. The activities are real, meaningful, and fun, which means that young people can learn and continuously develop without it being the focus.
What we want to do is to replace our collection of small and aging buildings with two new buildings specifically designed for teaching. These buildings will allow us to offer a wide range of educational activities that will not only advance the Downs Light Railway but provide young people with skills that are desperately sought after by the heritage railways industry and the wider engineering, technology and science industries. Together with the new buildings, we wish to change the terminus layout of Hoyland Down to enable us to conduct multiple activity sessions indoors and outdoors, while providing a more effective layout for our young members to operate the railway in support of the community.
The replacement of the existing structures will allow the railway to continue its current usage as an education resource for the adjacent school in addition to other schools in the area. This would therefore maintain and improve a unique local heritage asset and education facility which has served the school and elements of the wider community for almost a century.
Our new development will include toilets and washing facilities. The development will make the Downs Light Railway more accessible. This will allow us to offer activities throughout the whole year and promote inclusivity for those who have mobility or health issues.
We know steam railways provide a fantastic environment for community cohesion and great way to boost positivity and wellness in the fresh air of the outdoors.
We have over 40 years of experience in educating young people on a light railway, while preserving the heritage of the world's oldest light railway. Our light railway has existed as a teaching medium for almost 100 years and continues to spark the interest of young people.
It is so lovely to watch the children enjoying themselves so much!
We are passionate about youth engagement, community involvement, and promoting practical learning in schools. We are a corporate member of the Heritage Railway Association, a member of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, and a registered STEM Learning group.
Every time I read one of your posts I get a buzz of pleasure for the job you are doing with these pupils. Its not easy to put into words but my love of teaching and railways collide in the most delightful way when I see these reports. Keep up the good work!
In 2020, we were recognised by the Heritage Railway Association by receiving a short-list nomination to their Annual Awards for 2021.
The United Kingdom's engineering, science, manufacturing and technology sectors are facing a looming crisis as highly skilled workers are set to retire in the next ten years. The heritage railways sector, which contributes up to £250M to the national economy, is no different. Closing the skills gap and engaging the next generation of young people has visibility in the Houses of Parliament. The COVID-19 pandemic has had the negative effect of increasing unemployment, straining business, and mental health of young people. But positively it reinforces a demand for the UK to become more self-sufficient in these sectors.
The Downs Light Railway Trust's vision is to promote STEM activities to young people. But specifically, we wish to support the commercial and heritage railways that desperately need young people to volunteer or apply for jobs.
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