TransPennine Express hosts moving Remembrance event honouring wartime heroes
Hull Paragon Interchange fell silent today (Friday 7 November) as railway staff, passengers, and members of the public gathered to honour those who served and travelled from Hull during wartime.
Actors dressed in authentic WWII uniforms moved quietly through the station, handing out poppies and remembrance cards to travellers, evoking the journeys of those who once departed from Hull to serve their country.
The event formed part of Railway 200, a nationwide celebration marking 200 years since the opening of the world’s first public railway in 1825. The anniversary recognises two centuries of railway innovation, service, and community connection across Britain. In this milestone year, remembrance and reflection have been central themes across the network.
A remembrance service featured reflections on sacrifice and remembrance, a live performance of The Last Post, and a wreath-laying tribute.
The ceremony took place beside a striking new sculpture, created from 2,500 handcrafted poppies by local artist Andy Pea, which symbolises the courage and sacrifice of those who served.
Also within the station are permanent wooden panels commemorating 4,531 residents from Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire who departed through Hull Paragon Station to serve in the First World War and never returned. Each panel is engraved with names, regiments, and ranks, forming a powerful and enduring tribute to the region’s wartime history.
Together, the sculpture and memorial panels stand as lasting reminders of the railway’s role in supporting the nation during times of war — and of those who have served in conflicts past and present.
Chris Jackson, Managing Director of TransPennine Express, said: “Hull Paragon Interchange has long been a place of journeys and memories. This event was a powerful reminder of the station’s role in our shared history and the sacrifices made by so many. We’re proud to have supported this moment of remembrance and reflection as part of the Railway 200 commemorations.”
Cllr Mark Ieronimo, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure, Hull City Council said: “It was a privilege to take part in this moving act of remembrance at Hull Paragon Interchange.
"As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, today’s event was a poignant reminder of the deep historical significance the station holds for our city, a place from which thousands of men and women once departed to serve their country, many of whom never returned."