We've got two invention challenges for you!
Choose whichever challenge you want to do and download the associated pack from Resources below.
The world is covered with abandoned and disused train tracks. In the UK alone there are 4000 miles of disused train tracks, many of which have become footpaths for walkers and cyclists. Even part of Stockton and Darlington railway is no longer in use.
But we want you to come up with something more exciting for these unloved stretches of railway.
Inventors of the past have come up with some hilarious and down right bonkers ideas for things that use tracks, from zoos to hand-powered bikes and everything in between!
But you are the inventors of the future and it’s your turn now to go full steam ahead with your imagination and come up with something totally off the rails!
We’re challenging you to invent something fun, clever or unusual that can travel on or make use of tracks!
You may have seen a futuristic train in a movie or dreamt up one in your sleep. Maybe it had glass ceilings so you could see the stars at night or was filled with comfy beds so you could snooze for the whole journey.
What if there were rollercoasters or movie theatres on board? How about a snack bar that never ran out of sweets or an entire carriage filled with play things?
Let your imagination take you on a journey because...
We’re challenging you to invent your very own dream train carriage!
THE DEADLINE FOR COMPETITION SUBMISSIONS IS 22 AUGUST 2025.
Resources
S&DR200 Resource Pack - Challenge 1
Download the first of our challenge packs and get your imagination whirring with activities, before completing the final invention challenge.
Download for free
DownloadS&DR200 Resource Pack - Challenge 2
Download the second of our challenge packs and get your imagination whirring with activities, before completing the final invention challenge.
BE INSPIRED!
Full screenThe Power of Creativity
Before you get started with the Energy challenge watch this inspiring video from our Chief Inventor Dominic Wilcox about how creativity changed his life and gave him the confidence to share his inventions with the world!
Let's go!
Full screenNarrated Powerpoint Challenge 1
Meet Phoebe, she's going to guide you through the challenge and tell you everything you need to know! This presentation is for Challenge 1.
Activity 3
Full screenNarrated Powerpoint Challenge 2
Meet Phoebe, she's going to guide you through the challenge and tell you everything you need to know for Challenge 2.
Full steam ahead
Full screenTake a tour of the Stockton and Darlington Railway
Today we're going to join Caroline and Angela for a mini tour of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. So hop on because the train is about to leave the station!
Watch this
Full screenLearn all about the Stockton & Darlington Railway
Dan Snow explores how the engineer George Stephenson was commissioned to build a modern railway, with iron tracks, not wood, and a locomotive steam engine instead of horses.
Hop aboard!
Full screenLet's join Ella and Dan on a train ride in Finland!
This is Ella. She loves trains. Watch this to see for yourself.
How to enter!
You can submit more than one invention idea.
Submit invention ideas through our upload page.
- Draw your inventionon the worksheet of the mini-challenge of your choice
- Scan or photograph the *whole* sheetas straight on as possible
- Upload it in JPEG, PNG or GIF format (choose a file)
Each invention idea will comprise of an image of a clear drawing, the name, age and location of the inventor, the name of the invention and a description, and a contact email address.
Examples of scanned images
