The aim of this scheme is to give every primary school-aged child in the town free access to Wagon Woods - the railway-themed adventure play park at Hopetown, Darlington.

The idea behind the Golden Ticket Initiative

Launched by Lola McEvoy MP, the initiative aim to ensure that no child misses out on exploring Darlington’s rich railway history or enjoying fun, healthy play because of cost barriers. With an estimated 8,700 local children eligible, the Golden Ticket will unlock new experiences for thousands of families, helping to instil pride in their town’s heritage and foster stronger community connections.

It demonstrates how corporate support can create value in local communities, and how Railpen continues to invest not just in financial returns for our members’ future, but in the people and places at the heart of our story.

The nature of Hopetown

Hopetown, which opened its doors in 2024, is already a landmark destination. Owned and operated by Darlington Borough Council, it showcases over 30,000 artefacts celebrating the area’s world-leading railway story, from the pioneering days of the 1820s through to the late 20^th century. Wagon Woods, which is part of this innovative visitor site, brings that history to life in a way that’s interactive, inclusive and fun for all ages.

The role of Railpen

Railpen stepped up as the primary donor in April 2025 with an £11,000 contribution, ensuring the scheme could move forward to honour our social responsibility, our heritage as stewards of the railways’ pension funds and to demonstrate our commitment to our local community in Darlington.

The Golden Ticket Initiative launched on 27 June 2025

The official launch event took place on 27 June, with children from local schools receiving the first tickets. Railpen was delighted to join partners, councillors, and community organisations in marking this important milestone. Weekly distributions to schools will follow, ensuring all eligible children benefit.