As you may know, 2025 marks 200 years since the world’s first passenger train set off along the Stockton and Darlington Railway, marking the birth of modern passenger train travel. So, it is certainly a time to celebrate!
Railway 200 will kick off in January 2025 and will run throughout the year with a packed programme of events, activities and promotions honouring this momentous landmark.
Railway 200 is more than a celebration of the past. It will leave a legacy beyond 2025 by supporting and enhancing the industry’s efforts to close the skills gap by offering more opportunities for young people to learn about the wide variety of careers the industry has to offer.
What is planned for 2025?
There are a range of flagship activities being considered which aim to inspire the next generation by celebrating rail’s remarkable past, recognise its importance today and look forward to its future. Events will focus on 4 strategic themes:
- Innovation, technology and environment
- Education and skills
- Celebrating rail people
- Culture, heritage and tourism
Who is involved?
Railway 200 is an industry-wide initiative being led by the Great British Railway’s Transition Team and chaired by Sir Peter Hendy. Community Rail Network has been supporting the development of Railway 200, with a seat on the steering group since its conception in 2022. Other partners supporting the initiative include Network Rail, Stockton & Darlington Bicentenary Festival, Great British Railways Transition Team, National Skills Academy for Rail, Rail Delivery Group, Rail Forum, Young Rail Professionals, Heritage Railway Association and National Railway Museum.
Railway 200 is also working with partners from outside the industry to highlight the influence the railway has had on culture, art, and society.
Key Themes:
This celebration of 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, is a national one and is currently being led by the Great British Railways Transition Team. The Partnership is planning to take part and is engaged with the organiser, CRN. We will work with SWR and SR on active participation working on the themes of heritage railways, culture and tourism, museum publicity, celebrating rail people, activities and events, and the possibility of hosting the exhibition train in our region.
Purbeck CRP is looking to be involved with Railway 200 projects within our region and celebrate this milestone locally. This is also an opportunity to mark the The Swanage Railway’s 140th anniversary of the opening of the branch (20th May 1885) We are hopeful that they can host the mobile exhibition train, rail industry open days, commemorative merchandise range and partnerships with brands and cultural organisations.
