Northern’s going on a bear hunt

Families can now take part in the Leeds Bear Hunt 2023, with Northern’s giant bear being just one of 35 sculptures and 50 bear cubs hiding in plain sight across the city. The large-scale public art trail, a project by Wild in Art, has sploshed its way into Leeds for 10 weeks, bringing Michael Rosen’s iconic We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story to life. 

Albie, an 11-year-old train enthusiast designed Northern’s bear which shows the evolution of Leeds railway station’s architecture and locomotives from 1938 to present day.  

The talented Keighley youngster drew the designs onto the bear and then his mum Rachel helped him paint the sculpture, which took up every weekend for seven weeks.  

It is now pride of place at the Leeds Corn Exchage for everyone to enjoy.  

The trains Albie drew include an A4 Pacific, Merchant Navy, 111 Britannia and Deltic; Pacer, Class 91, 158, 185 and 800.  

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern said: “We’re pleased to be able to take part in the Leeds Bear Hunt and Albie’s wonderful creation is now on display for everyone to see.”  

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.