News

• Railway 200 celebrations on track, as Rail Minister heralds ‘exciting opportunity’
• International festival programme unveiled, inspired by journey that changed the world
• National rail sale, largest assembly of trains and rail exhibits, UK locomotive ‘whistle-off’, and much more!

With just over 100 days to go until the start of a year-long celebration of 200 years of the modern railway in 2025, plans are being finalised to mark this historic milestone and explore rail’s past, present and future role in national life.

At an event in Darlington today (Thursday 19 September) Jake Kelly, Network Rail Eastern region managing director, encouraged organisations and communities to embrace Railway 200, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the railway’s far-reaching impact on how we live our lives and how it's shaping a more sustainable future.

The 200^th anniversary will kick-off with an evocative ‘Whistle-Off’ of vintage locomotives at 12 noon on 1 January 2025 at sites across the UK, spearheaded by the Heritage Railway Association. 

other plans include: 

• the National Railway Museum’s 50^th birthday celebrations, including the summer re-opening of its refurbished and refreshed Station Hall, home to the Royal carriages – plus the Railway 200-themed Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition, now open for entries
• Railway 200-related activity, including a summer festival, at Locomotion museum in Shildon, on the route of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway
• the launch of a Railway 200 merchandise range for early next year, developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum
• a competition to choose the UK’s favourite rail art, with Art UK 
• a steam gala event in January by the Severn Valley Railway, attended by the largest gathering of representatives from heritage railways across the UK
• a Railway 200-themed Community Rail Week in May, from the Community Rail Network
• a Spring Steam Spectacular in early May on the West Somerset Railway
• a rail festival in Sussex from June to August, organised by the Bluebell Railway, which aims to attract more than 80,000 people, including 18,000 schoolchildren learning about STEM-related careers in the railway
• during July to September, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, near Bradford (UK City of Culture in 2025), will host the Olivier award-winning theatre production of The Railway Children. It will be staged in the location where the classic film was shot.  The production includes a steam train journey for the audience
• the Watercress Line in Hampshire is working with over 200 individuals and community groups to create a giant textile timeline of train travel, and inviting poets and other wordsmiths to submit work inspired by rail’s 200th anniversary 
• the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership will be producing 200 ‘blue plaques’ to celebrate 200 people connected to its railway lines
• community events from Swanage Railway in Dorset to coincide with its 140^th birthday
• a celebration, in July, of the Heart of Wales Line by the Heart of Wales Community Rail Partnership
• August Bank Holiday show at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• BCIMO, a national innovation centre in Dudley, will be hosting a family day in May
• the Heart of England Community Rail Partnership will be working with local artists and schools to produce a celebratory banner
• the Scouts and Guides will create a special Railway 200 badge for worldwide use
• museums will host a range of bicentenary-focused activities
• The North York Moors Railway will launch a new 200 Trail, packed with activities
• a celebration and awards ceremony in London in July to coincide with the 150^th anniversary of the Railway Industry Association, representing rail’s supply chain
• commemorative events at: the National Trust cottage in Wylam, Northumberland, where rail pioneer George Stephenson was born; Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield, where he is buried; and Stephenson College, Durham University, where he is honoured.

These, and other events across the UK, are being publicised on a new interactive map on the Railway 200 website (www.railway200.co.uk).