Students from eight London schools along the Crossrail proposed route heard Crossrail's chairman, Sir Christopher Benson, congratulate them for the high standard of their designs for a Crossrail train.

'Crossrail has broken new ground by involving those at secondary school age with the 'Design a Crossrail Carriage' project. I hope it encourages more people to use public transport and also more interest in engineering as a career. The country is short of engineers. I am also pleased to see that awareness in safety has been raised,' said Sir Christopher, speaking at London's Transport Museum Depot in Acton, West London.

'You have shown that you have put in a lot of thinking, used artistic skills and involved technical approaches to designing your carriage. I am very impressed by the high standard of the projects presented.'

Sir Christopher was pleased to note that more than half the students taking part were girls. He threw out a new challenge to all the students to think about designing to improve Crossrail station platforms and tunnels and encouraged them to take up a career as an engineer, planner or designer.

The curriculum related design project is jointly sponsored by Cross London Rail Links, Bombardier Transportation and London's Transport Museum. The student's work is likely to be exhibited at Bombardier's Derby works, at Crossrail offices in Victoria, and in other locations. Some of it will also be displayed on the Crossrail website.

It was launched last year under the supervision of Crossrail Education Consultant, Stephen Brice. Students were invited to take a behind the scenes tour of the Museum's Depot in Acton Town for inspiration. All work submitted has received feedback from staff at the Museum, Crossrail or Bombardier Transportation.

Sir Christopher Benson, Chairman of Cross London Rail Links (CLRL) , the company charged by the Government to develop Crossrail Line 1, added: 'These young people are the passengers of the future – it is fitting they should be involved in designing a train which they will use in the future.'

Students were briefed to find design solutions relating to issues such as how to prevent vandalism, the design and location of seating, litter bins and luggage spaces. The train must also be able to cope with commuters, mass transit passengers and travel to and from Heathrow Airport. Students also had to bear in mind that the Crossrail network will ensure that it eases the journey for those who have mobility difficulties.

The eight schools are Northfleet Technology College, Gravesend; Highbury Fields School, N5; Cleeve Park Secondary School, Sidcup; Thomas Tallis School, SE3; Newham Sixth For College, E13; Holland Park School, W8; Canon Palmer Catholic School, Ilford.

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Issued 10 March 2004