All aboard world's first Doodle Train on the Kent & East Sussex Railway!

Press release courtesy of Kent & East Sussex Railway. Image credit: Alison MIles.

In his biggest vehicle art challenge to date, internationally acclaimed artist Mr Doodle has created the world's first Doodle Train which will take passengers along the Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) on scheduled services until the end of August.

Over the course of a night and a day, the Tenterden-based artist covered the sides of an entire 64ft railway carriage with his instantly recognisable signature doodles. The final stages of the transformation happened live at the platform of Tenterden Town Station, in front of a crowd of fans, visitors and press.

The doodles were drawn directly onto a special protective wrap covering the carriage sides - a technique more often used to apply pre-printed designs to cars and other vehicles - to protect the vintage 1950s vehicle which will be returned to its original state when the wrap is removed.

No stranger to large public art challenges, Mr Doodle has doodled on everything from a Formula One car to his whole house. However, helping to create the Doodle Train is not only his biggest ever vehicle challenge but the first piece of his art that the public are actually able to travel in.

This special challenge was issued to Mr Doodle by the Kent & East Sussex Railway as part of their 50^th Anniversary celebrations and has been funded by Mr Doodle.

The Doodle Train now joins the railway's regular passenger fleet on a selected number of its scheduled heritage services throughout August. These are also included in the railway's Summer ‘Kids Go FREE' offer¹, running over the same period. Any child aged under 16 can travel for free with any fare-paying adult. This ticket allows unlimited trips up and down the line on the day of travel.

The first two Doodle Train services departed from Tenterden Town Station at 11:25am on both Saturday 27 July and Sunday 28 July with Mr Doodle joining passengers aboard the Saturday morning train.

Tenterden Town Station also became a DoodleTown station for the weekend, with children enjoying special Mr Doodle activities including doodling their own cardboard train and taking part in a treasure hunt to spot a series of Mr Doodle signature doodles placed around the station. A selection of Mr Doodle merchandise is also on sale in the station shop until the end of August.

Mr Doodle, who grew up in Tenterden and still lives in the town, has millions of followers worldwide via his social media channels.

Speaking about completing the project, Mr Doodle said:

"I was very happy doodling a train! It was the first time my drawings have appeared on a vehicle this size. It was so fun! It's especially nice that it all happened in my hometown. I hope the people there enjoyed it!"

Robin Coombes, K&ESR General Manager, said:

"As a local artist and frequent visitor to the K&ESR, we were delighted that Mr Doodle agreed to literally ‘make his mark' on our 50th Anniversary celebrations. We'd also like to extend our thanks to Mr Doodle for funding the project and giving his time to help support the railway and the local community.

"Some heritage railway enthusiasts might have raised their eyebrows at this initiative, but for our 50^th Anniversary we committed to not only celebrating the achievements of the past five decades but also to looking to the future and how we can continue to thrive. The positive response to date - from the look of the finished carriage to the many people who came to see the artist at work and then to ride the first of the Doodle Trains - has already proved we were right in trying something new."

There are a limited number of seats available on each Doodle Train* which can't be reserved so, to avoid disappointment, both advance online booking at K&ESR website to save and early arrival at the station are strongly recommended for Doodle Train scheduled services. Terms and conditions apply, please visit the K&ESR website for more details.

*The Doodle Train will be made up of two carriages, one of which has been doodled. Seats on K&ESR passenger services are available on a first come, first served basis for Freedom Ticket holders.

Mr Doodle was also part of Ashford Borough Council's UNFRAMED: Ashford Mural Festival. Mr Doodle's mural entitled the 'Concrete Cluster' can be found on the side of Edinburgh Road Car Park in Ashford Town Centre. You can find out more about the mural and download the Ashford Mural Trail map on the Love Ashford website.