Vote for name of new rail training centre

The National College for High Speed Rail is being reopened as a railway training facility this year

Four potential names for a new railway training centre have been released - with the public asked to vote for their favourite.

The National College for High Speed Rail in Doncaster was built to train engineers to work on HS2 projects, but closed due to low student numbers in 2023 after the scheme was partially scrapped.

Network Rail took over the site near the Lakeside development in 2024 and said they would use it as a hub for industry training, education and development.

In collaboration with City of Doncaster Council, they have suggested names that honour the area's railway history.

Shortlisted names

Doncaster has been a railway town since the 19th Century, and famous locomotives such as the Flying Scotsman and Mallard were built at its Plant Works. The engine manufacturing and repair shops were close to the station, a stop on the main line from London to Edinburgh.

The area later became a major interchange for freight routes because it was at the centre of the South Yorkshire coalfield.

One of the name choices is Flying Scotsman House, in tribute to the steam engine built in Doncaster in 1923.

The Gresley Institute would acknowledge the contribution of Sir Nigel Gresley, who lived in Doncaster while in post as the chief mechanical engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway, and designed both Flying Scotsman and Mallard.

Duddington and Bray House would honour two lesser-known railway workers, Joe Duddington and Tommy Bray, who were from Doncaster and reached a world record speed of 126mph in 1938.

The Corridor would reference Doncaster's position on the East Coast Main Line travel corridor.

Voting will close at midnight on 25 September, with the official reveal planned for October.

'Remarkable legacy'

Laura Smith, Network Rail's programme manager for the new training centre, said: "This facility will allow us to provide top class training to current and future colleagues across the railway industry and builds on Doncaster's proud railway heritage.

"We want the public to help us choose a name that celebrates the city's remarkable railway legacy."

Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones said: "This use of the site underlines our commitment to having sector leading opportunities in the city.

"I would encourage everyone to get behind this facility and take part in this public naming initiative.

"Our history and legacy in rail is a proud one and its future is certainly bright."

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