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Thursday 22 Oct 2026

I Choo-Choo choose you... rail safety mascot named by Shropshire school

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

A Telford primary school pupil has won a competition to 'choo-choo choose' the name of the railway's latest safety recruit.

Alessia, from Allscott Meads Primary School in Telford, won a competition to name Network Rail’s new railway safety mascot, choosing the brilliant name ‘Choo Choo’.

Choo Choo will now be used across the West Midlands and surrounding areas to help educate school children, families, level crossing users, and dog walkers about how to stay safe when interacting with the railway.

Alessia, who is eight-years-old, won the competition with her colouring entry and name suggestion and the school hosted the mascot’s first public appearance and naming ceremony in front of pupils and teachers in a special assembly.

Choo Choo was presented by Network Rail community safety manager, Manny Kang, who revealed the winning name and introduced Choo Choo to pupils and staff.

Alessia received a soft toy version of Choo Choo, along with other railway goodies, while Allscott Meads Primary School was presented with a trophy and certificate.

Alessia, the winning pupil at Allscott Meads Primary School, said: “I am so happy I won. I love Choo Choo the dog!!”

Manny Kang, Network Rail's community safety manager, said: “We loved the name Choo Choo and it was so inspiring to see Alessia and the other children when they found out their school had named our railway safety mascot.

"When we carry out awareness days and attend community events, one of the biggest challenges is getting people to stop and engage with us. We wanted to create something that would stand out, draw people towards us, and help start those important safety conversations.

"Choo Choo gives us that opportunity, but it also has a much wider benefit as we can take Choo Choo into schools and build on the safety conversations we are already having with children at a young age.

"Hopefully they will go home even more excited and tell their parents and families about Choo Choo and what they’ve learnt, helping us spread our safety messages even further.”

Kirsty Parkinson, headteacher at Allscott Meads Primary School, said: “Safety around the railway is of paramount concern to us at Allscott and the visits that Network Rail facilitate for Manny to join us at our school are invaluable.

“There was a huge buzz generated around the colouring and naming competition and we are thrilled to have three wonderful finalists selected and of course to celebrate the final winner, Alessia! It is a wonderful initiative, and we look forward to seeing ‘Choo Choo the dog’ promote rail safety across the region!”

Langley Green Primary School in Langley Green and Foxyards Primary School in Tipton also submitted name suggestions alongside entries to a colouring competition. The schools were invited to take part because of their ongoing active work engaging pupils about level crossing safety.

A railway safety team judging panel shortlisted seven names before asking Network Rail colleagues to vote for their favourite, with Choo Choo being selected. The mascot will also visit Langley Green and Foxyards to thank pupils for taking part.

Network Rail works with schools and communities to raise awareness of the dangers posed by the railway and to encourage safe behaviour at level crossings.

Choo Choo was created by Network Rail's Central route level crossing team, which works across the West Midlands and surrounding areas to improve safety and keep level crossing users safe. Using a larger-than-life mascot will help to engage with people in a fun but informative way and help spread safety messages and advice far and wide.

To learn more about railway safety and for information on Network Rail’s community safety programme visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/safety-education/