▶ News ▶ RGS rail buffs enjoy a first-class treat

RGS rail buffs enjoy a first-class treat

RIPON Grammar School rail buffs enjoyed a first-class experience during a day at the National Railway Museum.

Guests of the Friends of the NRM, 15 students who entered the annual rail-themed essay competition in memory of former RGS deputy head teacher Michael Wallace MBE were given a personal tour.

Mr Wallace, former honorary secretary of the Friends of NRM, died in 2018 and one of the new interactive spaces at the museum is named after him.

“It was particularly fantastic to spend time in the aptly named new Wonderlab Bramall interactive gallery, including the Wallace Learning Space, where students enjoyed hands-on challenges and live experiments,” said head of sixth form Terry Fell.

The Wallace Learning Space draws inspiration from the Ellerman Lines steam locomotive to create a surreal and engaging play on scale where visitors metaphorically transform into the size of a steam drop.

“Michael Wallace has left a wonderful legacy, and our students have been very privileged to share in it,” added Mr Fell.

The Wonderlab features 18 interactive exhibits showcasing different railway and engineering concepts, with visitors given the opportunity to think like engineers and have a go at designing, building and testing.

Mr Wallace set aside £2,500 to be shared over five years with the winners of the RGS railway-themed writing competition, which is now in its fourth year.