At the north end of the Sheffield-bound platform are a series of passenger figures stood nonchalantly waiting for their train, alongside the Cawthorne Dragon.

This is a friendly dragon made of metal, representing the legendary local community Dragon who used to belch fire and steam long before the railway age.

Finishing off the series of art works is the ‘mad planter’ on the station platform. Why is it mad? You’ll know when you see it.

The Penistone Line Partnership and friends will officially celebrate a major milepost in its Arts Along the Line project, at a ceremony at Barnsley Interchange on Monday 4 March at 12.00pm.

Representatives of the PLP, Railtrack, Yorkshire Arts, Barnsley Council, Arriva Trains and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive will gather to admire the exciting works of art which have been installed at Barnsley as part of the PLP’s Arts Along the Line project.

The work was commissioned last year, and artists Alex Hallowes and Pete Rogers of Xcerptional Designs spent months working up a series of ideas for art work at Barnsley Interchange.

A key feature of the project was its strong commitment to involve staff at the Interchange. They come up with a series of ideas based around postcards, depicting travel from and within the Barnsley area.

The large metal ‘postcards’ hang within the stairwell of the interchange. ‘The art work at the Interchange is part of the third phase of our arts project, which has already seen children’s art at Barnsley and work at Denby Dale by community groups.

Over the next few months more art work will be installed at Huddersfield, Shepley, Berry Brow and Brockholes, said PLP co-ordinator Brian Barnsley. ‘Eventually, the entire line from Sheffield to Huddersfield will become a linear art gallery, making rail travel even more of a pleasure.’

The art work will be officially ‘opened’ by a representative of Barnsley Council at 12.00 on Monday 4 March . Representatives of the media are welcome to attend, and join in the tour round the Interchange – you’ll be in for a series of surprises! And we’ll feed you after the tour and talks.

The Penistone Line Partnership’s Holmfirth Branch Line community bus service has been shortlisted in the Railway Forum’s prestigious National Railway Innovation Awards.

A ceremony at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel on March 25 will announce the winners. The PLP’s Brian Barnsley and Paul Salveson will be donning their dinner jackets and heading south in anticipation.

Further details on both items: 01226 370338
Penistone Line Partnership, St John’s Community Centre, Church Street, Penistone S36 9AR
Phone/Fax: 01226 370338 email: plp at penline.demon.co.uk