STEM Ambassador Nathan Tutty worked with the Kent & East Sussex Heritage railway, and the Terrier Trust to bring their Terrier A1x Class steam locomotive named “Poplar” back to London for its 150th Birthday, after a whopping £150,000 overhaul. They were given the kind permission of the Docklands Light Railway to have our locomotive on static display at their depot, with rare access to the footplate, (driving cab) of the locomotive, so visitors could experience what It was like to drive and learn what all the levers do!
Working with Global Learning London, they welcomed primary school pupils in the local area of Poplar to see a steam locomotive in an unusual location, yet back to where she used to run over a 100 years ago. There were STEM related activities around the historical and social impacts of these locomotives back when the railways were in its ‘Golden age’.
Nathan said “It is likely that some pupils (and some teachers) have never seen a steam locomotive before. This really is going to be a one off, not only the engine is back to its roots, over the past 150 years London’s skyline has really changed significantly; the engine will also be stood proudly in front of the gigantic Canary Wharf and other skyscrapers. So, a photo opportunity of a difference! Hopefully, we can inspire the next generation to become engineers/ scientists, technicians etc.”
(Photo courtesy of Nathan Tutty)
