A group of Britain’s best-known rail leaders have made an unexpected move into the entertainment business, appearing in a new short film produced for this year’s Railway Ball.

Created in support of Railway Children’s 30th anniversary year and inspired by this year’s Ball theme, A Night at the Movies, the film follows an unusually competitive casting process overseen by Railway Ball Vice Chair Rufus Boyd.

The brief appears straightforward enough: find the stars of this year’s campaign. What follows is a succession of auditions that become increasingly difficult to categorise. Among those auditioning are Railway Ball Patrons Andy Lord of Transport for London, Alex Hynes of DfT Operator, Darren Caplan of the Railway Industry Association, Jeremy Westlake of Network Rail; along with Angie Doll OBE, Chair of The Railway Ball. Collectively, they are responsible for significant parts of the railway. Less clear is their collective experience in front of a camera.

Without giving too much away, candidates arrive with varying levels of confidence, differing interpretations of the brief and a willingness to embrace roles that sit some distance from their day jobs. Presiding over the auditions is Rufus, whose casting style is refreshingly uncomplicated.

The finished film offers viewers the opportunity to see some of the rail industry’s most recognisable figures in a context rarely seen, demonstrating an admirable willingness to laugh at themselves in support of a good cause.

Fortunately for everyone involved, the purpose extends well beyond the pursuit of stardom. Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, auction bid placed and donation made through The Railway Ball supports Railway Children and its work protecting vulnerable children and young people.

“Paddington seemed a fairly safe casting choice given the railway connection,” says Andy. “I can’t make any claims about my acting but if the film helps raise awareness of Railway Children and encourages more people to support the Ball, then it’s time well spent.”

For Rufus, persuading senior industry figures to audition was never the main challenge. “Getting some of the railway’s busiest leaders to agree to a film audition was the easy bit,” he says. “Getting them to wait quietly in the audition room was a different challenge altogether. Everyone entered into the spirit of it because the cause matters, and we hope people enjoy watching it.”