Great Western Railway to welcome families to Maidenhead for fire engine fun
Great Western Railway (GWR) is inviting families to Maidenhead station tomorrow for its annual Emergency Services Day, including the opportunity to sit in the cab of a fire engine.
The free event features stalls for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), British Transport Police (BTP), Thames Valley Police (TVP), Network Rail and Samaritans.
Helping to liven up the summer holidays, the day will give visitors the opportunity to see and interact with a wide range of emergency service vehicles and equipment, including a fire engine and police cell van.
As well as the fun activities, there will also be some practical advice and services provided for visitors of all ages, including bike marking by BTP and guidance from RBFRS on fitting smoke alarms and doing home safety checks for vulnerable people in the community.
The initiative has been organised by GWR Station Team Leader, Mark Whitaker, who volunteers with both RBFRS and BTP in his spare time.
Mark said:
“Hosting this event for our community, alongside our local emergency service colleagues, is one of the high points of my year.
“It’s a great day out for all the family, where they can not only learn about safety in the home and on the railway, but also find out some lesser-known facts – such as what the cab of a fire engine looks like, and how Network Rail colleagues coerce a swan off the tracks.
“All of us at Maidenhead station and are proud to play a part in making the Thames Valley a safer place for both our customers and the community.”
Maidenhead station’s Emergency Services Day runs from 10am to 2pm on Friday 18 August and is located at Station Approach on the north side of the station.
Contact Information
Catherine Hyde
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us