Published on: Tuesday, 30 July 2019
Last updated: Tuesday, 30 July 2019
A replica of one of Greater Anglia’s brand-new trains is currently being sculpted out of sand at Great Yarmouth station.
The sculpture, which will show a bi-mode train alongside a hare, Greater Anglia’s new brand symbol, will take about four days to build in total. It should be finished by Wednesday evening.
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.
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, is creating the sculpture.
Two artists, Richard Spence and Jamie Wardley, who between them have been sand carving for 17 years, are using two tonnes of sand, in the middle of Great Yarmouth station concourse, while holidaymakers look on.
They compact the sand in wooden shuttering, mix it with water and compact it. Then they remove the shuttering to reveal a soft sand stone which they carve from 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 will give the station an added buzz and adds to the excitement of getting the new trains.”
Richard Spence said: “It is lovely to be able to visit Great Yarmouth and make the new Stadler train.”