Devon project to turn railway sounds into music and art

A Devon-based arts and inclusion initiative, which highlights the Dartmoor Line, has received a grant from Great Western Railway to explore 200 years of modern railway sounds.

The Turning Tides Project, based in Crediton, has secured £15,190 through GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund. 

The project will trace the evolution of railway sounds over two centuries, transforming them into graphic scores and musical compositions while promoting equal access to rail travel.

The work will run through 2025 and into 2026, gathering sound samples from stations, archives, and live environments. 

These will be shared and developed through workshops held with local colleges, galleries, and community groups.

Senior Project Manager, The Turning Tides Project CIC, Dominic Palfreman, said: “We’re extremely grateful for this funding from Great Western Railway, which will help TTTP to explore and celebrate 200 years of modern railway, as well as more than 200 years of sound effects. All whilst being a part of creating equal access in Devon”

“We are really pleased to have submitted one of the successful funding applications in Crediton and be given the opportunity to be part of 200 years of modern rail celebrations.”

“By the end of 2025, there were 333,221 Disabled Person Rail Cards in circulation (according to ORR) – for me, this number really highlights the important of equal access to rail – both for work, in the case of our Supported Employees, and leisure. Even more so in rural areas, such as our local Tarka and Dartmoor Line”

“If you want to be part of this project, or would like more information, please email or call The Turning Tides Project via info@turningtidescic.org.uk or 01363 772512”

GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund was launched in January to support not-for-profit organisations, schools, and local authorities with initiatives addressing social needs. 

The fund is part of the operator’s National Rail Contract with the Department for Transport.

GWR Senior Community Impact Manager Emma Morris said: “The Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a fantastic opportunity for us to invest in our communities in projects that really make a difference at a local level.

“We’re delighted to support this particular initiative, which will share artist’s interpretations of the sounds of rail and how they have changed over 200 years whilst encouraging people to access the rail that may not have confidentially done so before”

The project aims to leave a lasting legacy of inclusive audio and visual works celebrating both the heritage and future of rail travel, with a strong focus on rural accessibility in areas like Dartmoor.