Kindertransport train journeys to mark anniversary of largest rescue

Two commemorative train journeys will mark the anniversary of the largest Kindertransport rescue, writes Jack Mendel.

The trains will travel from London to Harwich in Essex, on Friday 1 July, 77 years to the day after 241 mainly Jewish children arrived there – the single largest transportation from Nazi Europe, overseen by Sir Nicholas Winton before the outbreak of war. 

One will operate from London Liverpool Street with surviving ‘Kinder’ and families on board, while a second vintage steam-hauled dining train will collect paying passengers from Finchley Road & Frognal Station.

The event also marks the first anniversary of the death of Sir Nicholas, who died last year aged 106.

Winton helped 669 Czech Jewish children escape as part of a wider rescue effort which saw a total of 9,000 children saved. 

The journeys will accompanied by a service of thanksgiving and remembrance at St Nicholas Church, with participation from nearby Colchester synagogue.

Some 1,000 local schoolchildren will participate in the event and the local Electric Palace Cinema will screen special Kindertransport archives and new material.

A fleet of vintage buses will transport guests to the Kindertransport memorial on Harbour Crescent in Harwich and the site of Dovercourt holiday camp, where refugees were sheltered. 

Tickets cost between £50-£241, with all proceeds going directly to helping modern refugees, For details visit www.papyrus-rail.com/kt77.html