Thameslink has joined forces with Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership and Mini Map-Makers to create an interactive trail which is being launched on Tuesday 26th October.

This new trail will hopefully inspire children to understand their local area and also to increase the use of the line from St Albans to Bedford.

The restored St Albans South Signal Box Museum is the launch place of the new ‘Symbol Spot’ interactive trail.

Children and their families can pick up an activity booklet and check which items they need to look out for and collect at stations. The trail which is suitable for children aged 5 and over will see letters, numbers and shapes displayed at all eight stations between St Albans and Bedford.

Each station will have a plaque rubbing for children to add to their booklets. Children that collect all eight rubbings on the Symbol Spot trail will get a special coin and certificate. Each plaque reflects the history and culture of the area, giving an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the local area.

As part of the launch event for the Beds and Herts Symbol Spot project children can enjoy a day of crafting and mapping activities with Mini Map-Makers, there are even prizes up for grabs. Children can learn about cartography and map reading at workshops. Please pre-book the ‘Symbol Spot’ Launch with Mapping and Craft Workshops for Children.

Workshops are suitable for children aged 5-15 and will run at 10 am, 11 am, 1pm and 2pm and will last 45 minutes. There is a small charge of £2 for each child taking part. Every child that takes part will be one of the first to get their hands on the new ‘Symbol Spot pack’ but also will receive a special ‘mappy’ goody bag.

From Wednesday 27th October onwards, the Symbol Spot pack can be picked up at any Thameslink station between St Albans City and Bedford when buying a child train ticket. Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are available from Thameslink and up to four children can travel with an adult for £2 each on many journeys.

The Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership (CRP) was formed in 2019 and covers the eight stations between St Albans City and Bedford. The partnership has brought together local businesses, local government, volunteer organisations and community interest groups along with Thameslink, East Midlands Railway train operating companies and Network Rail who owns the infrastructure, with one goal ‘to bring the railway and the communities it serves closer together.’

Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Thameslink, said: “This is a brilliant way to get kids outdoors and exploring this half term. After a year and a half of restrictions and lockdowns, we’re pleased to be welcoming our communities back to the railway, whilst supporting local economies. The trail launches next week and doesn’t have an end date – so we’d love lots of families to come and get involved and make the most of our £2 train tickets for kids*!”

Alice Gadney, Cartographer and Director, Mini Map-Makers, added: “I have immensely enjoyed developing the second Community Railway Symbol Spot on the Beds to Herts line with the amazing team at the Community Rail Partnership and at St Albans Signal Box. The evolving network of kind, friendly and incredibly helpful people have helped me create an exciting project that helps children learn about their rich doorstep history. I look forward to hearing their stories!”

Andy Buckley – Line Officer for the Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership, added: “I’m delighted to announce the launch of Symbol Spot on the Bedford to St Albans City line – this creates exciting opportunities for families to have days out together on a train playing ‘eye-spy’, spotting from the train and at stations. Families will learn about rail safety and the history of our line and the countryside through which it passes. I am very pleased that the Beds & Herts CRP has been able to work with so many partners to bring this rail-based activity to our route and we look forward to welcoming families to the Symbol Spot trail.

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