Iarnród Éireann Invites Transition Year Students To Imagine What Rail Could Look Like In 2050

Iarnród Éireann has today launched TY on Track: The Rail2050 Short Film Competition, a national initiative inviting Transition Year students across the Republic of Ireland to imagine what rail could look like in 2050. Students are being asked one central question: what do young people in Ireland want rail to look like in 2050?

Working individually or in teams of up to four, students are invited to create a three-to-five-minute short film exploring their ideas for the future of rail. Themes may include technology and innovation; education and opportunity; communities and rural Ireland; the future of travel; climate and sustainability; and accessibility and inclusion.

Students can use a phone, animation, graphics, interviews or another creative approach to bring their ideas to life. The competition is open to Transition Year students attending post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland.

The programme is described as an opportunity to engage with the next generation of industry leaders and give young people a voice in the future of transport.

Sai Gujulla, Strategy Integration Champion at Iarnród Éireann:

"The young people of today will be the engineers, innovators and decision-makers shaping Ireland's rail network in 2050. TY on Track gives Transition Year students an opportunity to share what they want the future of rail to look like and to think creatively about how it can connect people, communities and opportunities across the country.

The programme is part of Iarnród Éireann's commitment to community engagement and rail futureproofing. It is also an opportunity to introduce students to the wide range of opportunities available across the railway sector and sparking [sic] an interest in a future career in rail. We are looking forward to seeing the ambition, creativity and imagination students bring to the competition."

Safety is central to the competition. Participants must not film on or near railway tracks, stations, platforms, level crossings or other railway infrastructure, and any entry containing footage recorded on or near the railway will be disqualified. Students should create their films at home, at school under teacher supervision or in another safe location away from the railway.

Registration closes at 5.00pm on 20 November 2026. An information webinar will take place in October 2026, with details to be shared with registered schools. The submission deadline is 5.00pm on 29 January 2027, and a winners showcase is planned for April 2027, with details to be announced at a later date.

Further information about the competition, how to register and take part, and tips to guide submissions are available at www.irishrail.ie/tyontrack.