Hollywood Style Walk Of Fame Honours The Unsung Female Heroes Of The Railway Industry

• Elizabeth Holman, who disguised herself as a man to work on the railway, and Gladys Garlick who was one of the first female train guards and served during WW2 air raids, are among those honoured 
  
  
• Modern day women celebrated include train drivers Helen Donagher, whose quick thinking helped save a passenger’s life, and Rezwana Rahman - the first female LNER driver to wear a hijab 
  
  
• Stars unveiled as data reveals that 97 per cent of Brits have no idea how many women currently work in the UK railway industry, with a further 72 per cent having no knowledge of the stories of women who have helped shape the railway

Trailblazers Elizabeth Holman, Gladys Garlick, and Betty Chalmers are among the women honoured in LNER Hollywood walk of fame-style installations unveiled at stations. The new campaign launches ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March 2026) to highlight the incredible contribution of women within the rail industry - both past and present.  

This comes as new data reveals that 97 per cent of Brits have no idea that over 35,000 women currently work in the UK railway industry with almost half (42 per cent) incorrectly believing the figure is between 5,000-10,000. A further 72 per cent have no knowledge of the stories of women who have made the railway what it is today. 

Stars honouring a range of incredible women are now present at York and London King’s Cross stations, many of whom have never had their stories told. Women celebrated include Elizabeth Holman who was one of the earliest known women to work on the British railway. In the 1850s she defied social limits by disguising herself as a man to take on dangerous and physically demanding railway construction work.  

While Nellie Nelson - who worked as a porter for LNER at York station during the Second World War - supported passengers and kept services moving through air raids and blackouts, and Gladys Garlick served as one of the first LNER female guards at this time, both showing true strength and resilience. 

Gladys’ daughter, Lesley Cook, who was at London King’s Cross station to see her Mum’s star unveiled, said: “Seeing my mother’s legacy live on for her unwavering dedication to the British railway is such a special moment for our family. The railway is part of our roots, with my mum working as a guard, which she was so passionate about and took a huge amount of pride in, and my father being a train driver. It’s truly incredible to see a light shone on her story, and all the other women who are receiving the recognition they deserve with this installation.” 

Modern day women honoured include inspirational female LNER train drivers too. Helen Donagher heroically helped save someone’s life by swiftly stopping her train and disembarking to administer crucial first aid, while Rezwana Rahman became the first LNER female train driver to wear a hijab.  

Despite a rich history of female contribution to the railway industry, research commissioned by LNER reveals that if parents asked their children to draw a train driver, 73 per cent of UK children would draw a male driver compared with just 9 per cent who would draw female.  

Despite almost a third (31 per cent) of female adults admitting they would consider a career in rail, 67 per cent say they aren’t aware of all the opportunities available for women within the industry. 

Paula Bullock, People Director at LNER, said “Gender equity in the transport industry – particularly within rail – is something we’re deeply passionate about and firmly committed to improving at LNER. 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. Today’s celebration is both a tribute to the trailblazers who paved the way and a confirmation of our commitment to creating a railway where future generations of women can thrive.”

LNER has been a leading example for gender diversity and equality in the transport industry*, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Its latest data report reveals that 45 per cent of its workforce is female, compared with the industry benchmark of 17.4 per cent. 

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s Eastern Region Managing Director, said: “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. That means removing long-standing barriers and creating an environment where everyone can grow. I’d encourage any girl or young woman to consider the huge range of opportunities on offer in the rail industry. Brilliant women are working in many different roles and at every level, each playing an important part in running a safe, efficient, and reliable railway for the communities we serve.”

The stars will be in place at London King’s Cross until after International Women’s Day on 8 March, when they will then move into the Family Lounge, and in York railway station. People can scan the QR code on the installation which takes them to LNER.co.uk to read more about the incredible stories of these women.