The students, who were judged by industry professionals were marked according to a number of categories including; theatricality, energy consumption, conservation and safety and conservation.
Da Vinci Studio School's creative lighting effects brought Mallard's freshly cosmetically restored sister engine Dominion of Canada to life, with subtle steam effects, a highlighted headboard and bell and dramatic red side lighting to provide contrast for its gleaming garter blue paint. Their work scored particularly highly on safety and conservation as the lights were not mounted on the locomotive itself.
For the next four nights (30 and 31 October, 1 and 2 November) members of the public are given the opportunity to not only see the installations for themselves, and decide which entry most captures their imagination, from Sir Nigel Gresley's dramatic steam effects to the moving lighting on the wheels of the operational steam locomotive Union of South Africa.
Mark Waites from the Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise said, "The lads are overjoyed with their win; it's a fantastic achievement for us as we only opened at the beginning of last month. To say we are chuffed is an understatement."
Tobias Lumb project manager for the Mallard 75 series of events and one of the judges said, "Our annual lighting competition has always been a huge success, and this Locos in a Different Light has been our greatest yet. The calibre of the students work has been impressive and the judges had a tough task in picking a winner! We're looking forward to seeing the spectacular displays around these iconic locomotives for the next four nights and welcoming members of the public into the museum to enjoy what the students have created."
This year's challenge saw teams of students experiment with lighting effects to bring the iconic Gresley designed locomotives to life. The annual competition has been a huge hit with performing arts students in previous years with many going on to bigger and brighter careers in stage lighting. This year's event was attended by students from across the UK, including York College, Kent-based Rose Bruford College, the University of Glamorgan, Barking & Dagenham College and The Da Vinci School in Stevenage. The event is sponsored by AC Special Projects.
Now in its fifth year, the annual Locos in a Different Light event will be open to the public from 6.30pm-10pm and runs from 30 October to 2 November, double the duration of last year's lighting showcase. This year's spectacular gives visitors the opportunity to see all 'A4s' together for a final time before two of Mallard's sisters return to their homes across the pond. Both parking and admission to the event is free and there is no need to book.
(Jim Evans)
