Trainline x Vogue Williams: A Costume Guide as children choo-choo-choose train-related book characters this World Book Day

Trainline has joined forces with children’s author, podcaster and mother-of-three, Vogue Williams, to bring you an at home DIY guide to making three train related costumes for this year’s World Book Day on March 7th.  

We asked more than 1000 children aged between five and 12 who their favourite train related book characters were, and the results were unanimous - Harry Potter, Paddington Bear and Thomas the Tank Engine. 

We know parents have enough to think about without having to come up with costume ideas, so the Trainline x Vogue Williams World Book Day Costume Guide outlines the find-at-home materials you can use with easy-to-follow instructions to make these three beloved train related costumes.  

“I’m excited to be working with Trainline to create this costume guide for World Book Day. As a busy mum, I wanted to make sure I could create fun outfits this year for Theodore and Gigi without having the stress of needing to go to the shops and buy a whole outfit they may only wear once. Plus Otto is growing up fast so I will have three costumes to think about soon! I hope this guide gives fellow parents a helping hand with some tips to pull together a fantastic homemade costume quickly and easily. I’m constantly encouraging my children to read and hope that by dressing up as their favourite book characters, children will be inspired to keep reading.” Vogue Williams 

Train travel is a brilliant way to explore the UK and with so many wonderful stories that feature destinations across the country, the World Book Day costumes are just the start of the literary inspiration trains can bring to travellers. For those looking to dive deeper into the world of their favourite fictional characters here are some literary destinations to visit this year...  

• The Railway Children featured three siblings who move into a house called the 'Three Chimneys', near a railway in Yorkshire.
  • Train route: Leeds to Keighley
• The Famous Five involves a group of children who spend the holidays on the coast of Dorset where they travel by train to enjoy camping, swimming and solving mysteries.
  • Train route: London Waterloo to Moreton (Dorset)
• The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe see the Pevensie siblings escape to the Oxford countryside by train to stay with an eccentric Professor and uncover a magical wardrobe.
  • Train route: Birmingham New Street to Oxford
• Harry Potter fans can travel across the famous scenic train tracks featured across the films by taking a trip to Scotland.
  • Train route: Glasgow to Glenfinnan

Download the guide here for simple step by step instructions and have fun this World Book Day.

Methodology: The research was conducted by Censuswide with 1003 Parents of children aged 5-12 AND 1003 Children aged 5-12 between 14.02.2024 - 16.02.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.