Join Rocket: All Aboard to share stories, celebrate projects and plan for 200 years of the Rainhill Trials and Liverpool–Manchester Railway.

Rocket: All Aboard Network meeting.

Join us for the next Rocket: All Aboard Network Meeting, bringing together community groups, artists, heritage organisations, transport enthusiasts, and partners from across the Liverpool and Manchester Railway route.

The meeting will take place at the Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1DG.

We will be showcasing some of the exciting community projects already taking place along the line, sharing stories from our railway heritage and reflecting on how far we have come.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to take stock of our progress, share ideas and discuss how we can continue to work together towards the 200th anniversaries of the Rainhill Trials in 2029 and the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 2030.

Programme

Welcome from Paul Salveson, Chair of Rocket: All Aboard.

The Rainhill Locomotives – Peter Wildbore.

Peter will share his knowledge and enthusiasm for the locomotives that took part in the famous Rainhill Trials of 1829. Peter spent his working life in the steel industry, including leading the development of a stainless-steel plant in the Middle East. His passion for railways began with trainspotting in Hull over 65 years ago. Alongside lifelong friends Mike Slingsby and Eric Thornton, known as the Riley Boys, he has travelled extensively photographing railways, particularly steam locomotives. He attended the Rocket 150 celebrations at Rainhill in 1980 and is now passing on his love of railways to the next generation, including his grandchildren.

We Built a Railway – Claire Weetman and David Bixter, Sensory Creative Lab CIC

Hear about a creative project delivered with Year 2 pupils at Longton Lane Primary School in Rainhill, St Helens. Through storytelling, music, movement and art, children explored the history of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the challenges of building the line and the famous Rainhill Trials.

The project brought railway history to life through imaginative activities, digital artwork and sound, encouraging children to discover the railway heritage on their doorstep.

BREAK

Come On! Ride With Us – Friends of Edge Hill Station. Metal Culture

Discover how the Friends of Edge Hill Station have worked with local people and artists to create a new community artwork celebrating the history, people and stories connected to Edge Hill Station in Liverpool.

History in the Making: Capturing Hidden Voices Through Song – Simon Ruding, TiPP

Hear how TiPP has been working creatively with communities to explore overlooked histories and experiences through music and songwriting, using the power of song to bring people's stories and voices to life.

Round up of Rocket: All Aboard - Karen Shannon

Karen will share the latest news from Rocket: All Aboard, including funding updates and highlights from recent events such as the Heswall Concert Band performance and Steam Stories at Eccles Station.

Whether you've been involved from the beginning or are joining us for the first time, everyone is welcome.

The purpose of network meetings is to foster open communication, build meaningful relationships, and create opportunities for collaboration among organisations, individuals, and community members, ensuring the initiative is engaging, inclusive, and impactful.

Your ongoing participation is crucial to the success of the project. This group will continue to meet throughout the development phase of the project, ensuring that your voice remains an integral part of the planning process. Network meetings take place approximately every six months.

Please share the meeting with anyone you think may be interested in coming along. Thank you.

Date: 12th November 2026

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30 pm

Location: Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1DG. On arrival, please make your way to the Riverside Event Space, which overlooks the River Mersey. Education Room 3.

Light refreshments will be served.

Hosted by: Manchester Histories on behalf of the Rocket: All Aboard Excutive Steering Group & project.

Data Gathering

When registering for this event we will ask you some questions about your age, gender, ethnicity, disability and postcode. Gathering this information helps us to report back to our funders and enables us to better understand our audiences so we can ensure we reach as many people as possible now and in the future. The information is given anonymously.

Accessibility

The venue is fully accessible.

We endeavour to ensure this event is open to all, so welcome you to contact us regarding any specific requirements you may have before the event.

Email: info@rocketallaboard.co.uk

Call: 0161 306 1982.

Event Capacity

Due to the popularity of this event, tickets are in high demand. If you've booked a ticket but can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing info@rocketallaboard.co.

Description supplied by the event organiser.