The new metal archway has been installed at the station entrance and features a decorative design to enhance Duffield Station.

The ornamental archway was designed and created by a team of young people who were working towards an Engineering Skill qualification in welding and fabricating. Eight of the young people have achieved their Level 1 NCFE Award in Industry Specific Engineering Skills and also experienced working with real industry requirements during the project. The training course was provided by Engineered Learning in Derby, who designed the project with Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership and East Midlands Railway (EMR).

Engineered Learning has provided the young people with the necessary welding and fabrication skills and practical experience that will support them in a real workplace environment. The young people’s training saw them take part in an array of activities such as team building, a rail safety talk, a tour of Derby station, a visit to EMR’s train depot as well as personal development, careers advice and an insight into possible future opportunities.

A fact-finding train trip on the Derwent Valley Line was also part of the young people’s project and included a visit to both EMR and Ecclesbourne Valley Railway stations at Duffield. The visit gave the inspiration necessary in order to create the arch, which is made up of both heritage steam and contemporary locomotives with flowers and trees which represent Duffield’s rural location.

When the young people’s designs were complete, they were reviewed by a group of community and railway stakeholders and a final design was created using Computer-Aided Design ahead of it being cut into stainless steel and welded into the arch.

Councillor Trevor Ainsworth, Chair of the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership said:

“The young people should feel very proud of the fantastic archway they have created for Duffield station. It is very satisfying to have enabled the young people to gain practical engineering skills and work experience with Engineered Learning.”

Dan Read, Managing Director of Engineered Learning said:

“Here at Engineered Learning, this was the perfect project to both promote the use of the railways to young people for leisure access to Matlock via the Derwent Valley Line or wider social mobility along with developing employment and life skills. It was also a fantastic opportunity for our students to create a lasting legacy that they can look back on during their careers, to be able to show family and friends what they are capable of, and for our disadvantaged young people to be able to display what they have achieved is priceless.”

Paul Webster, Support and Development Manager at Community Rail Network said:

“It is pleasure to see how students from Engineered Learning have gained practical career and life skills by creating this impressive and lasting legacy for the local community and railway passengers of Duffield to admire. We encourage young people to get involved with the rail industry and their local community so are pleased to have been able to contribute towards this excellent and fulfilling scheme.”

Donna Adams Community Engagement Manager at East Midlands Railway said:

“We are honoured to have been able to contribute to such a valuable project for the young people and the local community of Duffield. Those involved in the project should feel very proud of what they have achieved and the new skills that they have learned and gained. The archway is a lovely addition to the station for everyone to enjoy.”

The project was funded by Community Rail Network, Derbyshire Police & Crime Commissioners Fund, Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership, East Midlands Railway and the Open Gate Trust.