News

Gates opened at 10:00, and visitors poured in to enjoy a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the biggest and busiest depots in the south east.

• Tickets on sale from today for an exclusive guided tour on the iconic Network SouthEast Networker train
• Special three-hour trip across the Metro route and through train washer and rarely used junctions
• Just 250 tickets available for this unique celebration of Railway 200 on Saturday 27th September
• All proceeds go to the Railway 200 charities

• Final chance to book your space at Southeastern’s 'Railway 200' Open Day on Sunday, 24^th August.
• Discover the engineering secrets behind Kent’s high-speed train fleet, from laser scans to bolts bigger than your wrist.
• Meet the engineers, drivers and depot staff who keep Britain moving and see innovative rail tech alongside heritage steam legends like the 35028 Clan Line

Earlier this year, we launched our retro Network SouthEast train from Charing Cross station and it has been delighting commuters, enthusiasts and passers-by over the past few months, as it goes about its day across our network...and soon you will have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive tour on it!

To mark the opening of Blackheath station on 30 July 1849 over £1.7m has been invested in a glorious heritage makeover, which not only greatly enhances the customer experience, but harks back to the golden age of rail travel in what is the Railway 200 celebratory year.

Special train showcasing the past, present and future of our railway attracts young people to careers on the network, with the Bluebell Railway the next stop on the tour.

• Name the bear competition
• Raffle
• Vintage bus rides
• Trades stands
• ..and more!

As part of our ongoing Railway 200 celebrations across our network, three colleagues recently collaborated with the Strange Cargo Arts Company to produce three bronze sculptures, which are now permanently on display outside Folkestone West station.

• Southeastern train turned into a moving classroom to encourage more girls to consider a career in railway engineering  
  
  
• Students from Mulberry School for Girls met with female engineers and Purpose Coalition Chair and former Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening  
  
  
• Event celebrates Women in Engineering Day and the birthday of pioneering engineer Verena Holmes 

• Special exhibition to celebrate the history of the first railway to carry passengers by steam hauled trains
• Part of Southeastern's ongoing Railway 200 celebrations

Turner 250 x Railway 200: Not only is this a momentous year for our railway, 2025 also marks the 250^th birthday of a much loved and respected ‘local’ artist on our patch – JMW Turner. You may have heard of him?

On Monday 5 May, Rochester station welcomed over 13,000 customers through its gates as they travelled to the annual Sweeps Festival - but this year was different from others as Station Manager Bev Rickwood put on a very special event to celebrate Railway 200 and commemorate VE Day, which raised nearly £3,000 for the Poppy Appeal.