HomeEventsCelebrate rail's 200th anniversary in 2025

Celebrate rail’s 200th anniversary in 2025

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With just under three months 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 on 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 event announced the programme for a nine-month international festival across County Durham and Tees Valley from March to November next year, as part of Railway 200. Inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 – a journey that gave birth to the modern railway – S&DR200 will present a series of free large-scale outdoor spectacles, events, exhibitions and new art commissions at world class venues.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “Since the first passenger train entered service almost two hundred years ago, our railways have become integral to millions of lives, bringing communities closer together, opening up new opportunities for business and driving economic growth across the country.

“Railway 200 presents an exciting opportunity to unite the wider public in recognition of our rail network and the brilliant people who keep it running. I hope this year-long series of events and celebration encourages the next generation to consider a career in rail.”

Make some noise

The 200th 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.

There will also be a national Railway 200 seat sale in early 2025, offering heavily discounted train travel for great days out, as announced this month by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Over three fun-filled days in August, train builder Alstom will host ‘The Greatest Gathering’ at its historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, showcasing the largest temporary assembly of trains and rail-related exhibits in a generation.

Other highlights include planning a touring exhibition train, named ‘Inspiration’, to criss-cross Britain, creating a buzz at mainline stations, heritage railways and rail freight depots. The train is being developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum, part of the Science Museum Group. It will consist of different interactive exhibitions exploring the past, present and future of rail.

As well as celebrating the anniversary, the train aims to inspire schoolchildren and others to consider a career in the rail industry, shining a spotlight on the diversity of roles available for people from all backgrounds. It has been supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

At least 400,000 people – including school groups and families – are expected to visit the train. Its itinerary is being developed and will be confirmed early next year.

Packed itinerary

Elsewhere, other plans include:

  • The National Railway Museum’s 50th birthday celebrations, including the summer re-opening of its refurbished and refreshed Station Hall.
  • Railway 200-related activity, including a summer festival, at Locomotion museum in Shildon, on the route of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway.
  • A Railway 200-themed Community Rail Week in May, from the Community Rail Network.
  • 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.
  • A celebration and awards ceremony in London in July to coincide with the 150th 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.

Other activities include anniversary-related train namings, open days, heritage trails, rail staff and public events, commemorative books, exhibitions, competitions, school and public talks, steam shows, site visits, murals, quizzes, and charity fundraising.

Look to the future

Speaking on behalf of Railway 200, Jake Kelly, Network Rail Eastern region managing director, said: “Railway 200’s ambitious programme not only embraces the railway’s historic roots, but also looks to future innovations and how the industry adapts to modern-day challenges to get people and goods to where they need to be.

“Whether you are a frequent traveller, simply live by the railway, or are an engineer of the future, all are invited to take part in this huge programme of events, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of an invention born in the North East which has gone on to transform communities across the globe.”

Railway 200 is a partner-led programme of activities and events across the UK, supported by the rail industry, the UK Government, Transport Scotland, Transport for Wales, the Northern Ireland Executive, rail and business bodies, civic and community groups and a wide range of other partners, including Visit Britain and the Museums Association.

To register involvement in rail’s bicentenary visit www.railway200.co.uk/getinvolved

For information about S&DR200 visit: www.sdr200.co.uk

Image credit: Railway 200

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