Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8th March 2026, LNER has launched a Hollywood-style Walk of Fame at York and London King’s Cross stations to celebrate the contributions of women within the rail industry. The campaign arrives as new data reveals a significant perception gap: 97% of Brits are unaware that over 35,000 women work in the UK railway industry, and 73% of children would still draw a male if asked to depict a train driver. The installations immortalise pioneers like Elizabeth Holman, who disguised herself as a man in the 1850s to perform construction work, alongside wartime heroes like porter Nellie Nelson and guard Gladys Garlick. Modern trailblazers are also recognised, including driver Helen Donagher, who performed life-saving first aid, and Rezwana Rahman, the first LNER female driver to wear a hijab.
LNER currently leads the industry in gender diversity, with a workforce that is 45% female compared to the 17.4% industry benchmark. Paula Bullock, People Director at LNER, stated: “By unveiling this installation, we’re not just shining a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of women, past and present, we’re also recognising there is still work to be done. Supporting women in the rail sector is essential to building a more innovative and inclusive industry. When women are empowered and supported to progress, we see better outcomes for our customers, colleagues, and communities. We want rail to be a place where women feel they belong, where their contributions are visible and valued, and where they have equal opportunities to lead and succeed.”
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s Eastern Region Managing Director, added: “It’s inspiring to see so many remarkable women from across the rail industry celebrated through this campaign. Their stories span generations – from the pioneers who opened doors for others, to the women who played vital roles during the Second World War, to the talented colleagues shaping the railway of today and tomorrow. Each of them shows what’s possible and why representation matters. We’ve made real progress in encouraging more women to choose a career in rail, but representation alone is not enough. Women need to feel heard, respected, and supported at every stage of their careers.” The stars will remain at London King’s Cross and York stations through International Women’s Day, allowing commuters to scan QR codes to discover the full history of these railway icons.
