Replica train made from waste materials

A brand new social enterprise which creates products to sell from recycled materials has built a replica of an historic steam locomotive to be displayed at an annual festival.

Cloud West Trading Company was set up by Teesside University Social Entrepreneur in Residence Steve Thompson.

Based at the Hill Street Centre in Middlesbrough, the social enterprise has been working with students at Teesside University to build a replica of the Stephenson Rocket which will be on display at the Festival of Thrift on 26 and 27 September.

The replica has been made from waste materials including shopping trolleys, bicycle wheels, water pipes and cardboard, all provided by Percy, a Middlesbrough-based community interest company that provides recycled arts and crafts resources.

Built around an old tricycle, the replica Stephenson Rocket will be pulling carriages around the Festival of Thrift at time-tabled intervals. The Festival of Thrift takes place in Darlington and aims to show how reusing, recycling and upcycling can be fun, save you money and benefit the environment.

This year’s festival is celebrating the 190th anniversary of the first passenger steam train and features leading and emerging artists from across the globe, demonstrations, stalls, debates and workshops to offer thrifty advice, tips and tricks.

The replica Stephenson Rocket is the first product made by Cloud West Trading Company which will be using its links with Percy to make additional pieces of recycled art which can be sold to the public.

Steve Thompson said: 'The idea behind the social enterprise is to harness student creativity and make products from raw materials.

'This has been a great first project to be involved in - the reaction has been really positive and I’m looking forward to taking the train to the Festival of Thrift and making it available to as many people as possible.'

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Find out more about the Festival of Thrift