Following a previous announcement of a nationwide ‘whistle-up’ on New Year’s Day to mark the start of Railway 200, more participants have been announced, including overseas railways, model train manufacturer Hornby, commemorative locomotive, 910 and Thomas & Friends™.

This will be the largest-ever mass participation event by heritage railways, and more than 50 railways and up to 200 locomotives will sound their whistles and horns at horns at midday on Wednesday, 1st January 2025 to signal the start of a year-long celebration.

Spearheaded by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA), the Railway 200 Whistle-Up will involve over 50 heritage railways in the UK and abroad blowing whistles of nearly 200 vintage steam and diesel.

Overseas railways taking part include Holland, South Africa, and Sierra Leone, with some sounding the whistles on British-built locomotives.

At mainline stations, trains will sound their horns at the appointed hour to welcome in the anniversary year.

On a miniature scale, model train manufacturer Hornby will arrange for a selection of model trains to toot and whistle on their track layouts, and there will also be a special appearance on social media from Thomas the Tank Engine.

In a year-long celebration, Railway 200 will commemorate 200 years of the modern railway, and explore how railways have shaped our national life and encouraged more people to consider a career in the railway.

The date has been chosen to commemorate 200 years since 1825 when the Stockton and Darlington Railway changed the world forever.

In the Locomotion museum at Shildon in County Durham, the whistle of the North Eastern Railway locomotive No. 910 sound once more. No. 910 is the only locomotive to have appeared in all three previous Stockton and Darlington Railway anniversaries, in 1875, 1925, and 1975, and is currently undergoing restoration.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will join in the whistle-up by recording themselves, family and friends blowing whistles, sounding horns or ringing bells at noon on New Year’s Day. Recording can be posted social media, using #Railway200 and #WhistleUp200, and if no whistles, horns, or bells are available, a Christmas party blower or popper can be used instead.

“The world changed forever in 1825 with the birth of the modern railway in Britain, and rolled out across the globe. Railway 200’s celebrations are a unique opportunity to honour a groundbreaking moment in our history while looking boldly towards the future. The Whistle-Up event marks the start of a year that will showcase how the railway continues to transform lives, connect communities, and create growth, jobs, housing and tourism. This milestone reminds us of the integral role rail plays in a sustainable future and is our chance to present the railway as a forward thinking, digital industry with vibrant and diverse career paths for a new generation. Together, let us celebrate this extraordinary British achievement and inspire a shared vision for the next century of railways.”

Rail Minister Lord Hendy