The time capsule will be buried under Birmingham Curzon Street station to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway
The HS2 time capsule will be filled with written anecdotes and artefacts to celebrate Railway 200, Birmingham and its railway heritage.
Both HS2 and Railway 200 are calling on people who feel they have a connection with the city to contribute.
Railway 200 celebrates the establishment of the first public railway
The first public railway was constructed in 1825, and linked Stockton to Darlington. Railway 200 is therefore holding events throughout the year to celebrate this.
Curzon Street Station was originally opened in 1838, and was the first passenger railway to link Birmingham to London. HS2 is now constructing a new station on the site, both modernising and incorporating the old historic features of the station.
As such, a HS2 time capsule will be buried beneath the public realm surrounding the station, and aim to fill it with 200 stories and memories from people about the city, especially railway related stories or their thoughts about what the city will be like in the future.
These memories will be put into the capsule along with contributions from local celebrities and figureheads.
HS2 will also be present at other events, such as in Alstom’s Great Gathering.
“The past is being preserved, the present is being captured, and the future of rail is being built”
Huw Edwards, HS2’s stations delivery director said: “Curzon Street is the perfect location to honour the city’s railway heritage and look ahead to its exciting future, and I really hope that those with a connection to the city will seize the opportunity to play a part in this unique celebration as part of the national Railway 200 campaign.
“We have the privileged position of preserving Old Curzon Street Station, while at the same time constructing the city’s new terminus station. When passengers board a high speed train in the future, it really will be a moment to behold to see how the railways have advanced.”
Emma Roberts, programme manager for the cross-sector, government-backed Railway 200 campaign, said: “It’s wonderful to see how, during this bicentenary year, the past is being preserved, the present is being captured and the future of rail is being built at the new Birmingham Curzon Street Station.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people living in and around Birmingham: those who are lucky enough to contribute to HS2’s time capsule will share their stories with generations to come.
“Whether or not you’re one of the lucky few to have their stories sealed in the capsule, the Railway 200 campaign would love to record and share your story of connection to the railway for our Great Rail Tales Podcast. Please visit railway200.co.uk to find out more.”
The post HS2 time capsule to be placed under station in Railway 200 celebration appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
