A North East Community Rail group is hoping to pique the interest of rail passengers with an innovative new machine designed to spark conversations about community rail.
The Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership’s “Cyclo Knitter” wowed passengers at Newcastle station yesterday (Monday 19 June) when it was unveiled by the community group and rail industry leaders.
The machine has been funded by a £3,000 investment from CrossCountry’s community engagement fund.
CrossCountry’s Stakeholder Liaison Manager for the North East & Scotland, Alex Bray, said: It’s fantastic to support the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership with such a creative project that will definitely spark a few conversations with passengers on platforms.
I’d invite anyone who spots the Cyclo Knitter at their station to come and have a go, have a chat – and perhaps even get a nice new scarf for their return journey.”
The multi-functional bike was inspired by Dutch artist George Barret-Jones, who published a video online in 2018 featuring his Cyclo Knitter at Eindhoven rail station.
The North Eastern version was constructed by Geoff Wallman of Hexham-based Northern Skunkworks, who designed and built a fully-accessible machine that can be transported by train.
Swapping attachments on the static cycle – which can be safely used on rail station platforms – enables riders to knit scarves, blend smoothies or even charge mobile phones.
Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership’s Director, Julie Gibbon, said: “It is a wonderful tool to engage people – wherever we take it, people come to talk to us; they are intrigued, amazed and excited by it and we aim to inspire them to be creative themselves be it knitting a scarf, looking at how it all works, visiting the Tyne Valley, travelling by train, being more active or just smiling and lifting their spirits.”
It’s hoped that the new cyclo-knit will encourage more rail users to get involved with community rail in the North East, or simply stop and have a chat whilst waiting for a train.
To find out more about how CrossCountry works with Community Rail Partnerships, visit: www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/xc-community-hub/community-rail-partnerships
Photo credit: CrossCountry
