BCIMO is excited to announce a further two of its Gold Sponsors for its upcoming Family Day on Saturday, May 17, 2025. This event is part of the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, which heralded the birth of the modern railway.
The BCIMO Family Day will take place at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley, a unique centre for rail innovation located on the site of the former Dudley Railway Station at Castle Hill. Visitors will have the chance to take part in a variety of activities celebrating the railway’s history and future innovations.
The event will feature stands from local businesses and organisations, fairground rides, music, entertainment, and plenty of food and drink options. Attendees can also enjoy rides into the famous Dudley Railway Tunnel. This exciting event, which will support five charities – The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, Railway Benefit Fund, 4Louis, Railway Children and Young Lives vs. Cancer – will be officially opened by Pete Waterman OBE, President of the Railway Benefit Fund. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore the past and future of rail transport, with something for all ages to enjoy.
As Gold Sponsors, both companies will receive promotional benefits which include their logo displayed on our T69 tram, our primary mule vehicle used for innovation projects.
WEST MIDLANDS METRO
Since its inception, West Midlands Metro has played a key role in shaping the region’s transport landscape – connecting people, places, and communities across Birmingham, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton, with the upcoming extension to Dudley, the home of BCIMO. As a modern and growing tram network, it forms an essential part of the wider transport infrastructure in the West Midlands, offering sustainable, reliable, and accessible travel for thousands of passengers every day.
West Midlands Metro is operated by Midland Metro Limited, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority. As a forward-thinking transport provider, it has embraced innovation across its services—from introducing battery-powered trams to supporting wider regional efforts around decarbonisation, skills development, and transport connectivity. Its mission is about more than just getting from A to B—it’s about shaping a cleaner, greener, and more connected West Midlands for future generations.
It’s this shared focus on innovation and community that makes West Midlands Metro a natural partner for BCIMO. We’re delighted to be building a wider partnership with the organisation—one based on aligned values, mutual ambition, and a strong desire to see the region thrive.
As Gold Sponsors of BCIMO Family Day, West Midlands Metro is helping make the event possible, supporting our shared goal of engaging local communities and inspiring the next generation. Their sponsorship not only reinforces their commitment to regional growth but also highlights the importance of collaboration between public transport providers and innovation hubs like BCIMO.
We’re thrilled to have West Midlands Metro on board for this special event and look forward to seeing where our growing partnership takes us next – on track for a more connected and sustainable future.
Anthony Stanley, Head of Operations and Safety at West Midlands Metro, added:
“We’re proud to support BCIMO Family Day and be part of an event that celebrates innovation, community, and the future of sustainable transport.”
CONSTRUCT 3D
Construct3D is a high-performance 3D printer manufacturer based in the UK, best known for producing the UK’s fastest FDM printers. The company has a unique origin story from a mum and son team – what started as a passion project, with the co-founder’s son building a prototype in his bedroom, soon turned into a full-scale business. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional 3D printers, the pair set out to create a solution that was faster, without compromising on extreme accuracy, more reliable, and truly built for real-world use.
Operating under the umbrella of Seraph Technologies, a parent brand dedicated to driving innovation through advanced engineering and cutting-edge manufacturing solutions, Construct3D has grown from a bedroom-built concept to a recognised name in additive manufacturing. Its machines are now used in both industrial and creative settings across the country.
As part of their commitment to community and creativity, Construct3D is proudly sponsoring BCIMO’s Family Day by 3D printing a range of exclusive merchandise to be sold on the day, with all proceeds going to charity. The items include earrings, keyrings, and hanging decorations, each featuring the distinctive BCIMO icon—designed by BCIMO’s brand agency Eleven10Creative.
The BCIMO icon itself is rich in meaning: two interlinked chain links form the letter ‘B’, symbolising connection, collaboration, and transport routes across the four Black Country regions. Inspired by the shape of the local map, it reinforces BCIMO’s role at the centre of regional innovation.
Construct3D’s contribution is the perfect fusion of tech and creativity—bringing a bold visual identity to life in 3D form, and helping raise money for great causes along the way.
Therese Lord, Director of CONSTRUCT3D, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting this event by donating to the raffle and printing merchandise for BCIMO to sell and raise funds for charity; Railway 200. This is going to be a fantastic event so we will be bringing our 3D printers along with us to show off their magic to add to the fun for the day.”
To find out more about the event, including how to become a sponsor, buy tickets or get involved in any other capacity, please visit the BCIMO Family Day website page.
For more information on BCIMO or the VLRNIC, please visit the BCIMO website or click Contact Us to make an enquiry / sign up to our mailing list.