Published on: Friday, 2 August 2019
Last updated: Friday, 2 August 2019
A replica of one of Greater Anglia’s brand-new trains has been sculpted out of sand at Great Yarmouth station.
The sculpture, which shows a bi-mode train alongside a leaping hare, Greater Anglia’s new brand symbol, took three days to build.
It coincides with the first new bi-mode train, which runs on electricity and diesel, going into passenger service on the route between Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft earlier this week.
Sand in Your Eye, which worked with Danny Boyle to create 32 sand drawings on beaches across the UK in the Pages of the Sea project commemorating the First World War, created the sculpture.
Two artists, Richard Spence and Jamie Wardley, who between them have been sand carving for 17 years, used two tonnes of sand, in the middle of Great Yarmouth station concourse, while holidaymakers looked on.
They compacted the sand in wooden shuttering, mixed it with water and compacted it. Then they removed the shuttering to reveal a soft sand stone and carved using shovels, building trowels and pallet knives.
David Metherell, Greater Anglia Head of Commercial Development, said: “It’s a busy time of year at Great Yarmouth station and we’re really pleased that we’ve been able to start to introduce our new trains on this route.
“Our new trains are longer with more space for holidaymakers and their luggage and they should also increase reliability on this route, which we know is very important for our customers.
“The sand sculpture gives the station an added buzz and adds to the excitement of getting the new trains. Feedback so far has been incredibly positive and we are looking forward to introducing more new trains in the region soon.”
Richard Spence said: “It was lovely to be able to visit Great Yarmouth and make the new Stadler train. The finished sculpture looks excellent and we hope people enjoy looking at it.”
Greater Anglia is replacing all of its trains with brand new trains which are longer with more seats, plug and USB points, free wifi, air conditioning, accessible toilets, and improved passenger information screens.
Greater Anglia is getting 38 bi-mode trains, made by Swiss manufacturer Stadler, and financed by Rock Rail East Anglia.