Bentham railway line success in national awards
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
This was for their “Rail to Sail” project, which came to fruition in June 2023: it included a specially commissioned large artwork, located in the newly refurbished passenger lounge at the
ferry terminal showing the new ferry ‘Manxman’ which went into service in July 2023 in a scene which also included a railway train to symbolise how two different transport systems can
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In addition children from St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, Heysham, were involved in producing another piece of artwork at the buffer stops where the railway line
ends also under the banner of “Rail to Sail” together with other artwork on the station platform.
Gerald Townson, chairman of the CRP said: “The Bentham Line was delighted to engage with so many local partners on this multi-aspect project which included ‘first-class’ artwork for
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Hide Adthe station and port terminal together with panels recording the history of rail and sea journeys to the Isle of Man over the last 125 years.”


Brain Haworth, a community rail partnership officer for the Bentham Line said: “It was pleasing to see our project “Rail to Sail” which was developed within the local community bringing
together a multitude of diverse partners, achieve success in this year’s Community Rail Awards.
"The involvement of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company brought together two different transport operators in a unique partnership.”
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Hide AdAlice Rice, terminal manager at Heysham Port, said: “The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company are delighted to have been part of a joint initiative with partners from the local community


to enhance a rail and sail facility at Heysham Port.
"Special thanks to the children from St Peter’s School and to the Bentham Line volunteers for all their hard work.”
Gerald Townson, chairman of the partnership, gained second place in the photographic competition on the theme of “Capturing the essence of Community Rail” with an image
titled “All Friends Together” depicting the Bentham Line’s “Grand Day Out” booklet and associated panels which are on various stations along the route.