A special event was held in Darlington today, Thursday, 19 September, where Jake Kelly, managing director of Network Rail’s Eastern region, encouraged organisations and communities to become involved in next year’s Railway 200 celebrations to mark 200 years of the modern railway.

Railway 200 will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate how railways have greatly impacted our lives and how it’s looking towards a more sustainable future.

There are just over 100 days until the year-long celebration begins, and at today’s event, a programme for an international festival that will be part of Railway 200 and held across County Durham and the Tees Valley from March to November 2025 was announced.

The opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 gave birth to the modern railway.

A series of free large-scale outdoor spectacles, events, exhibitions and new art commissions at world-class venues that will explore rail’s past, present and future role are planned to mark S&DR200.

A programme of activities and events will be held across the UK as part of Railway 200.

These are being 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.

Events start appropriately at noon on 1 January 2025 when the Heritage Railway Association will arrange an evocative ‘Whistle-Off’ of vintage locomotives at sites across the UK.

Earlier this month the Secretary of State for Transport announced that in early 2025 there will be a national Railway 200 seat sale, offering heavily discounted train travel.

In August 2025, train builder Alstom will host ‘The Greatest Gathering’ at its historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby with an exhibition of the largest temporary assembly of trains and rail-related exhibits in a generation.

A touring exhibition train named ‘Inspiration’ that is being developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum will travel throughout Britain, visiting mainline stations, heritage railways, and rail freight depots.

Inspiration’ has been supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and will have different interactive exhibitions exploring the past, present and future of railways. Besides celebrating Rail200, it will aim to inspire schoolchildren and others to consider a career in the rail industry.

“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.”

Rail Minister Lord Hendy

“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.”

Jake Kelly, Network Rail Eastern region managing director

“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.”

Niccy Hallifax, S&DR200 Festival Director