Excitement builds for railway’s 200th anniversary across the south of England

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 across the south of England.

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.   

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. 

Over the course of the year, other plans across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, include:

• 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
• the Watercress Line in Hampshire 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 200^th anniversary 
• the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership 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
• an August Bank Holiday show at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

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

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.

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.  

At an event in Darlington today (19 September) Jake Kelly, Managing Director of Network Rail Eastern, 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.

Today’s 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.   

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, 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.

Elsewhere, 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
• 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
• a celebration, in July, of the Heart of Wales Line by the Heart of Wales Community Rail Partnership
• 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). 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. 

As part of Railway 200, rail academics and historians across the UK have come together to lend their expertise in helping to tell rail’s story, of how it transformed our economic, environmental, cultural and social landscape, and continues to do so.  The nation is being encouraged to share rail stories and memories too. 

Other plans being finalised include some with global profile and activities abroad, working with UNESCO, the British Council, Google, international rail retailers, overseas rail companies and other international organisations.  

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.”

Lord Hendy, Rail Minister, 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.”

Niccy Hallifax, S&DR200 Festival Director, added: “We are thrilled that Railway 200 is taking as its inspiration the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.  This event changed history. We cannot wait to welcome visitors from all over the world to the S&DR200 Festival in the public spaces and new world-class visitor attractions of County Durham and Tees Valley. It will celebrate our pioneering industrial past and imagine what the possibilities are for the future with partners, communities, and participating artists.  We are proud to be part of an exciting programme of Railway 200 events.”

The Railway 200 logo is freely available to download for non-commercial purposes as part of a new toolkit, packed with useful materials, to support partners.  To access and to register your involvement in rail’s bicentenary visit www.railway200.co.uk/getinvolved

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