School children help to create a new landmark for Hull City of Culture 2017.

The last train departed from Stepney Station in Beverley Road, Hull, in 1965 but on Friday, June 16th this year at 2pm, the first new arrivals in over 50 years will appear on the platform when a new art installation is unveiled.

Pupils, parents, staff and friends of Stepney Primary School have been uncovering the history of the station and the branch line railway it once served and developed artwork representing people who either travelled or worked at the station.

‘In February, we spent a week dedicated to listening to local experts who helped our pupils to develop concept art work and models for a series of permanent steel statues that represent people who either worked or travelled on the railway,’ said head teacher Paul Browning. ‘Their designs are being manufactured and erected on the north platform of the station.

‘With final designs from Neil Cameron, one of our teachers, the statues have been manufactured by W. Campbell & Son in Harpings Road, Hull, who also produced the St. Andrews Quay Trawlermen Memorial and the Lissett Air Memorial.’

Martin Green, director of Hull 2017 said: ‘Getting youngsters, families and schools involved in cultural projects is a key driving force for our creative communities programme.

‘The sculptures symbolise the roots and routes of Hull’s residents, depicting the people who used the station for a variety of purposes across its lifetime. It’s an installation that will leave not only a lasting physical legacy of Hull 2017, but also a personal one for the young people from Stepney Primary School, who will have great memories of how they contributed to their city’s time in the spotlight.’

The statues, will occupy a prime location, adjacent to Beverley Road, to form yet another series of iconic landmarks for the city in this important year. Before the unveiling, groups of pupils will visit the Campbell’s factory to watch the manufacturing of the statues.

Hull UK City of Culture 2017’s Creative Communities Programme, which is being delivered in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund, helped to pay for the project.