Steam train brings Wallace & Gromit sculptures to Bristol for summer arts trail
The heritage train was loaded with a dozen unique character sculptures and driven by Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park to mark the start of Gromit Unleashed 3.
The sculpture trail is a joint initiative by The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity, and multi-award winning independent studio Aardman.
The harbour railway train was greeted by school children before one of the sculptures was lifted onto the harbour's heritage cranes and another sent off to its summer location onboard Bristol's former fire-boat, the Pyronaut.
Over the coming days, all 53 sculptures will be delivered to their trail locations, throughout the city of Bristol and beyond ahead of next Monday's launch.
Joining Park's two sculpture designs were creations by Sir Paul McCartney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Richard Curtis, Jorge R Gutierrez and Peter Lord.
'It's amazing to see such imagination and originality from the artists taking part in our trail this summer,' Park said.
'I've had the privilege of watching the work of such talented creators coming together all in support of a great cause – The Grand Appeal.
'I look forward to a summer of Gromiteering around Bristol and beyond this summer.'
The Gromit Unleashed 3 trail will run from June 30 to August 31.
The trail will be followed by The Greatest Dog Show on Earth exhibition before all the sculptures are auctioned to raise money for The Grand Appeal.
Nicola Masters, director of The Grand Appeal, added: 'It's a cracking day to unleash our 2025 sculptures today – setting the wheels in motion for a grand day out the whole city can enjoy.
'Each sculpture has been brought to life through the magic of film, fables, tales and folklore – a dazzling celebration of storytelling (and) imagination.
'A star-studded spectacle that brings glitz, glamour and a touch of movie magic to the trail.'
Gromit Unleashed 3 is now the fourth sculpture trail by The Grand Appeal and Aardman Animations.
It builds on the success of Gromit Unleashed, Shaun in the City, and Gromit Unleashed 2.
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