Rocket: All Aboard co-commissioned a colourful new community mural with FRECCLES (Friends of Eccles Station), celebrating local creativity and Eccles’ railway heritage.

The artwork, Steam and Stories, was officially unveiled at Eccles Station by Salford’s Ceremonial Mayor on Friday 2 October. It was a chance to see the finished work in its new home and celebrate the people whose ideas helped shape it.

Developed as part of FRECCLES’ wellbeing programme, the project brought different generations together through art and shared discovery to explore their local railway’s past and present.

Young people and families from The Castle Community Centre developed ideas during workshops led by Humbug Art. Their drawings took inspiration from steam engines, tracks and Eccles’ industrial heritage, with further contributions from teenagers in Humbug Art’s League of Artists group and studio volunteers.

The finished design brings these individual contributions together in a lively, detailed artwork. Installed as large panels on the station wall, it gives passengers plenty to spot while waiting for their train.

Eccles is part of the historic Liverpool and Manchester Railway and as we look towards the bicentenaries of the Rainhill Trials in 2029 and the railway’s opening in 2030, projects like this show how Rocket All Aboard can connect that history with the lives and creativity of communities along the line.

The launch also offered an opportunity to chat and enjoy the artwork . Those attending tucked into some tasty Eccles cakes, a fitting treat for a celebration at Eccles Station!

Thank you to everyone who contributed their ideas, creativity and time to the project and to everyone who joined us for the unveiling.

Steam and Stories was co-commissioned by Rocket: All Aboard and FRECCLES and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, with support from Northern Trains, who arranged the mural’s installation.