Summary
Fleet Arts invites you create a miniature world in a box for a model train and track to travel through. Your completed ‘train world’ diorama can become part of a large-scale installation at Cromford Mill open to public display over May bank holiday (24th - 25th May 2026). A camera on the miniature train will project a train-eye view of this communally created and imaginative landscape onto the wall of the space for all to enjoy. This will also be available to see online for those that can’t travel to visit the installation in person.
Come on board the Imagination Train and see where your creativity can take you!
Join us in workshop to set off your creative wheels in motion, or get making your world using our support resources below of guidelines and tips with a helpful video and further information.
FREE public workshops -
The Lead Artist Martin Paling (Illustrator, Theatre Production Designer and coordinator of Arthur’s Here and There Trains) is delivering free drop in public workshops for children, adults and families where you can come along, get some tips on how to start creating your train world.
Saturday 11th April 11:00am – 4:00pm (workshops between 11:30am - 3:30pm).
Cromford Mills Education Room, Mill Rd, Cromford, Matlock DE4 3RQ
Family-friendly drop in workshops as part of Cromford Mills Derbyshire Makes Day. There are 4 workshop slots throughout the day so come along to the Fleet Arts stall to sign up on the day.
Monday 4th May 11:00am - 2:00pm
Fleet Arts Co-create space inside the Coop, 47 Strutt St, Belper DE56 1UN
Alongside other Fleet Arts activities for Belper Arts Trail, we have 3 drop-in workshops for adults, children and young people that you can join at 11:00am, 12:00pm and 1:00pm. There will also be a model track that you can build and miniature trains to drive suitable for children and adults alike!
Saturday 9th May 2:00 – 4:00pm
Table Top Events, The Old Exchange, Wellington Ct, Belper DE56 1UP
Come along and help us to two create train worlds, one with a Pokemon theme and one inspired by all things D&D and Warhammer!
How to make your train world at home -
Watch the ‘how to make your train world’ video at the bottom of this webpage.
Print out the train tunnel cut out or copy the dimensions on to your box which are below.
Get making! Your train world can be whatever you want to imagine. It could be from the past, the present, or the future. You can use whatever materials you like. Is your train world a place from your imagination, a place that you know, or that you care about? Is it a knitted universe or a plant-filled planet? Is it a shiny utopia or a grimy post-apocalypse? Do people, robots, aliens or dinosaurs live there? Is it spooky, funny, political, joyous, fantastical or realistic?
Bring your completed train world to EITHER:
* Cromford Mill on Friday 22nd May between 5pm-7pm or Saturday 23rd May between 10:00am - 2:00pm
* Fleet Arts Co-create space inside the Coop, Strutt Street, Belper by Thursday 21st May 7:00pm There will be a designated and clearly signed table where you can leave you box.
We can’t wait to see what you make so let’s go! Full steam ahead!
* This project has been developed by Fleet Arts in partnership with artist Martin Paling and Cromford Mills with funding support from Derbyshire Makes and Derwent Valley Line. We are thrilled to be working with many different groups and organisations in Amber Valley including The National Stone Centre and Wild Roots Creative.
