All aboard for virtual museum

15th January 2009

A Virtual Museum to celebrate the historic Rainhill Trials of 1829 has been launched at Rainhill High School. The new web site charts the story of the dawn of the age of speed, the birth of British railways and its significance to the UK and global economy.

Using a mixture of interactive technology and video, this online resource, designed by local multimedia company Zut Media, is set to become the definitive destination for information regarding the trials - a contest which determined the future of the Liverpool to Manchester railway, (the world's first inter-city passenger railway) and heralded a new era of passenger travel that influenced industrial development across the world.

The website provides a stimulating online commemoration of the locomotive trials, providing an excellent reference tool with a personal guide, a user forum, podcasts from local experts and rail enthusiasts to keep you on track with key information about the revolutionary transportation event.

Councillor, Richard Ferry, St.Helens Council's Executive Member for Urban Regeneration said: "This is a key element in providing a fitting tribute to the Rainhill Trials and recognising its historical significance. The website will provide an invaluable resource that allows people across the world to access a wealth of materials about this fascinating piece of our heritage."

Chris Tigwell, Vice Chairman of Rainhill Railway and Heritage Society adds: "The Virtual Museum will enable a global audience to gather information about the social and economic impact of the Rainhill Trials. We are delighted that St.Helens Council has commissioned the creation of this Virtual Museum to take the trials from the 19th Century into the 21st Century."

Pam Wilsher, Acting Director of Tourism at Liverpool City Region’s official Tourist Board The Mersey Partnership, commented: “The website is an appropriate celebration of the world renowned Rainhill Trials. The visually stunning virtual museum is a fitting tribute to one of the most significant events in pioneering speed. The Rainhill Trials is an important event in terms of the City Region’s and the North West’s heritage agenda - Rainhill was the cradle of the transport revolution that developed the railways to improve the social conditions and lifestyles of people all over the world.”

The project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund from the Merseyside Objective 1 programme. It is one of the projects listed in the revised City Growth Strategy and forms an important part of the wider St.Helens Tourism Development Initiative, which seeks to promote the Borough’s many assets, including its industrial heritage, rural areas, sport and events, plus its growing reputation as a business tourism and visitor destination.

To visit the museum and for more information, please see www.rainhilltrials.com