Calling Young Designers to Create the Uniform of the Future!

As part of LNER’s Railway 200 events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the world’s first modern passenger railway, LNER and the National Railway Museum have teamed up to launch an exciting artwork competition. Young people are invited to design the uniform of the future, and LNER’s uniform supplier, Dimensions, will bring the winning design to life!

LNER and the National Railway Museum are passionate about honouring railway history, but they’re also always looking ahead. They want to know how the rail experience can improve, both for customers and for those working on the railway. Plus, they’re thinking about how to do it all in a way that’s kinder to the planet.

That’s why they’re reaching out for a little extra inspiration from the younger generation. Young people aged 12-17 are invited to design the train of the future, while those aged 0-11 can get creative and design the uniform of the future!

What’s the Uniform of the Future?

The designs can be for any current railway job, like a Train Manager, Station Assistant, or Driver. Or you can invent a brand-new railway job that might exist one day! The competition will run until Friday 13 December 2024, when a panel of judges from LNER and the National Railway Museum will choose the winners.

Dimensions has provided some helpful tips for designing the uniform:

• Practicality matters! What will the uniform need to help the person wearing it? For example, where would a train mechanic keep their tools? Is there room for a phone and a whistle? Where can the wearer store their keys or walkie-talkie? Maybe lots of pockets or a utility belt would help.
• Safety first! People who work at stations or on the tracks need to be easy to see, so why not make the uniform bright and colourful?
• Consider the seasons. Many railway workers spend lots of time outdoors, so think about designing both a summer and a winter version of the uniform.
• Comfort is key! The uniform should be smart yet comfortable for people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and genders.
• Make it stand out. The LNER red should really pop, making the person wearing it look like a track star! Plus, the LNER badge should be visible, like a football strip showing off the team logo.
• Think about climate change. Summers might get hotter, and rain might be more common. How will the uniform keep workers cool and dry, or warm in the winter?
• Details matter. Does the uniform include a tie, hat, or bag? What about shoes or a jacket? Different roles might need different uniform elements.
• Eco-friendly materials. Can the uniform be made from recycled materials that are better for the environment? Could it be made locally instead of being shipped from far away? And can the material last a long time to reduce waste?

How to Enter:

There are three ways to enter the competition. Head over to www.lner.co.uk/rail200 to find out more!