Keele University MA Creative Writing student, Dean Brindley, has had his poem “Circus Train” displayed in the Platform 2 Waiting Room at Stoke-on-Trent Station. He reimagines the atmospheric arrival of the Barnum and Bailey’s Circus Train at the station as the animals arrive in their hundreds to take up their winter quarters in the city. The poster was installed by Claire Sandys, Community Rail Officer for the North Staffordshire CRP.

Mark Taylor, Virgin Trains Station Manager at Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We have been proud to serve Stoke-on-Trent for over 22 years. It’s a great city I thought I knew well but I was amazed to discover this part of our railway heritage, which is brought to life in Dean’s poem, Circus Train. We work hard to champion the cities, towns and local communities we serve, and we’re delighted to present this piece of work which reveals an usual part of Stoke-on-Trent’s history to the thousands of people who travel through the station every week.”