A GROUP of 74 highly excited Foxdell Junior pupils boarded First Capital Connect’s Seaside Special on Saturday for a day trip to Brighton.
Many of the children had never seen the sea before and for several it was their first experience on a train.
The little learners had the time of their lives with a clown, magician and face painter to entertain them on the journey, as well as goodie bags and baseball caps for each passenger.
Among the group was Luton’s child of courage, nine-year-old burns survivor Shamiam Arif.
The pebble beach was a God-send because sand can irritate her many skin grafts. She and her brother Shakaib raced each other to the waterfront so they could paddle in the brilliant sunshine.
FCC laid on the outing to celebrate the end of cross-London engineering work on the Thameslink route.
Managing director Neal Lawson said: “We wanted to do something very special to mark the occasion.”
Foxdell Junior headteacher Jane Morton said: “What a fantastic way to celebrate the re-opening the direct line.
“The children were very excited and had a great day.”