Music mogul buries railway time capsule

Record producer, songwriter and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, was guest of honour at a time capsule ceremony, held at the National College for High Speed Rail, in Doncaster, this week.

A time capsule was buried to celebrate 160 years of the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF), the industry charity that supports current and former railway employees and their families in times of need. The capsule held various pieces of memorabilia, including photos of the charity’s patrons, of which the Royal Family and Charles Dickens appear. The names of donors who have recently funded a new service to support railway staff dealing with dementia are also featured.

Peter Waterman, the RBF honorary president, said:

“This time capsule celebrates the RBF’s 160^th birthday and demonstrates the charity’s work on behalf of both the current and future rail industry. We would like to thank the National College for High Speed Rail for their support. We’re here to celebrate the RBF’s history, but also to make the important link between the charity’s work and our industry’s future, which this college represents.”

The ceremony was supported by the College which provided a plot of land for the time capsule at its Doncaster campus. The National College for High Speed Rail opened its doors last year to begin training and supporting the next generation of designers, engineers, operators and technicians that are needed for the development of Britain’s future rail network and associated infrastructure projects.

Clair Mowbray, chief executive of the National College for High Speed Rail, said:

“It’s a great honour for the College to be part of this momentous industry celebration. In our efforts to develop the talent pipeline that is needed for Britain’s future rail network, we’re indebted to the great work that continues to be delivered by important industry bodies like the RBF. Given Doncaster’s long-standing legacy in the railway industry – with more than 20 rail businesses located in the town – it is a fitting location for the capsule.

Jason Tetley, RBF chief executive said:

“We hope this is the start of a joint work partnership between RBF and the National College for High Speed Rail to support young people at the start of their careers within our dynamic and ever-changing rail industry. The RBF aims to support all rail staff – past, present and future.”

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