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Donated train 'valuable resource' to SEN school

The Dales School A pupil wearing a turquoise green jumper plays on a train simulator in the driver's cab of a Pacer train. The Dales School
Volunteers restored the driver's cab of the Pacer train

A project involving a repurposed Pacer train to use as a classroom for children with specialist needs is nearing completion.

Volunteers from Northern's Heaton TrainCare Centre fixed leaks in the train's roof and its power supply after the train was donated to the Dales School in Blyth by company Porterbrook in 2020.

The second part of the initiative involved engineers repairing the wipers, headlights, signal buzzer and fan in the driver's cab which has recently been finished.

The volunteers also restored the train's public address system, which the school's therapists said would be a "valuable resource" for pupils to make announcements and develop their speech and language skills.

Northern An orange Pacer train is on a short section of track in a school playground which has green grass. The train has a black X branded on the front with a banner reading 'Newcastle'.Northern
The school's therapists said the refurbished driver's cab would be a "valuable resource"

The engineers and apprentices also installed a walkway over a section of track, which was donated by Network Rail.

The school, near the new Northumberland Line at Blyth, said the new driver's cab would give children opportunities to learn about rail safety and the hazards of trespassing.

The project was featured on George Clark's Channel 4 show Amazing Spaces in 2023 and it also received last year's Love Northumberland award.

The Dales School An engineer, who wears a grey jumper, blue top and jeans, works upon a switchboard in the driver's cab of a Pacer train. The train is located in the playground of a school yard. The Dales School
Heaton TrainCare Centre's manager, Garry Roseby, said he was "extremely proud" of the engineers who volunteered their time

Pupil Leo said: "I love the train as I'm going to be a train driver when I grow up and I get to practice on the train controls and tell everyone where the train is going."

Meanwhile Lennie said: "My favourite time of the week is when we go on the train, I like the train driving simulator, it's like I'm driving a real train."

Northern Two engineers wearing orange and black work clothing and harnesses are repurposing the driver's cab of the Pacer train. One stands atop of a ladder, while the other fixes something on the roof of the train. The train is branded 'TEXO' and is orange and black. Northern
Volunteer engineers from Northern worked at weekends to repurpose the cab

James Groundwater, outdoor learning teacher at the school, said the volunteers had "made the train come to life" and now it was watertight for future use.

Heaton TrainCare Centre's manager, Garry Roseby, said he was "extremely proud" of the engineers who spent their weekends and holidays restoring the train.

The Dales School A Pacer train which has yellow frontage and is painted purple and blue on the side. It is a Northern train. The Dales School
The train prior to being repurposed functioned as a Pacer train

"It has also given the apprentices an opportunity to work on the legacy fleet which has served the North East so well over the years, allowing them to develop their skills on a different electrical and mechanical system," he said.

The engineers said they would return in July to fit guttering to the train roof.

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