Climb aboard the musical express for pilot project this Easter

Solana, who will be performing on the Music Train from Beccles to Ipswich. (Image: Archant)

A pioneering new scheme, which starts tomorrow, will see an East Anglian rail service run with its own musical accompaniment.

A 'gypsy folk' band will be performing in one of the carriages travelling on the East Suffolk Line. The pilot project, if it proves popular with passengers, could then be extended to other services.

The journey will start from Lowestoft station, although the band - a local group called Solana - will only be joining at Beccles. They will then perform on board for the 1 hour 11 minute onward journey to Ipswich, as well as a return trip later in the day. The event has been organised by East Suffolk Line Community Rail Partnership, in conjunction with train operator Abellio Greater Anglia.

Beccles councillor Graham Elliott, who is also chairman of the northern line group for the partnership, is championing the project.

'Music trains have proved extremely popular around the country and with such a wealth of musical talent in the area I thought it would be a great way to showcase local musicians complimented by the beautiful views of the Suffolk countryside which can be seen along the line,' he said.

Solana, formed in the Spanish city of Valencia in 2012, includes performers from Beccles, Bristol and Valencia.

Their repertoire incorporates influences as diverse as swing, klezmer - a musical tradition of Eastern European Jews - and Latin rhythms, and features Spanish guitars, Celtic flutes and fiddles.

Mr Elliott assured those who wished to travel in peace could do so in other carriages.

'It will be a three-carriage train and there will be a designated quiet carriage. You can enjoy it or get away from it depending on what you want.'

Do you have a Beccles story? Email amy.smith@archant.co.uk