What is Railway 200?

Railway 200 will be a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail. It invites community, rail and other groups to get involved.

Starting in January 2025, a wide variety of activities and events are being planned to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance to a sustainable future.

Born in Britain, rail quickly spread across the globe. Next year, Railway 200 will showcase how the railway shaped and continues to shape national life.

The spirit of invention and innovation of rail’s early pioneers lives on, as today’s railway becomes simpler and better for all, rising to new challenges in a changing world. Rail has transformed how life is lived here and abroad: crossing continents, connecting cities and communities, and improving the lives and livelihoods of billions.

Railway 200 is developed by a cross-industry partnership. A small core team will deliver some national initiatives, but most of the nationwide activity will be taken forwards by partner organisations, supported by the core team.

Railway 200 aims to excite interest from the next generation by inviting young people of all backgrounds to consider a career in rail. It also hopes to attract more volunteers to heritage railways.

To help tell the Railway 200 story, four main themes will be explored:

• Skills & Education
• Innovation, Technology & Environment
• Heritage, Culture & Tourism
• Celebrating Railway People

As part of Railway 200, three councils, Darlington, Durham, Stockton-on-Tees and Tees Valley Combined Authority, have joined forces with a range of local, national, and international partners, to deliver a nine month festival of internationally significant projects throughout the bicentenary year – S&DR200