The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on 27 September 27 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas, and ultimately transforming the world.

Railway 200 will kick off in January 2025, and a wide variety of activities and events are being planned throughout the year to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance to a sustainable future.

• Events will focus on four strategic themes:
• Innovation, technology and environment
• Education and skills
• Celebrating rail people
• Culture, heritage and tourism

How community rail can get involved

Community rail is ideally placed to get involved in Railway 200. Members are encouraged to promote local messages by springboarding off the national once-in-a-generation celebrations to showcase the hard work and dedication of your community rail partnership or station group.

As well as supporting members to plan events and amplify their messages, Community Rail Network will also be taking part in the national campaign. Amongst other activities and promotions, the Community Rail Awards and Community Rail Week 2025 will be centred around Railway 200 celebrations. Watch this space for further details!

If you’d like to discuss ideas for how you can get involved, please get in touch with our Comms & Policy Team on news@communityrail.org.uk.

In the meantime, why not consider:

• Sharing your rail stories on social media using #Railway200
• Speaking to local partners about Railway 200 – is there something you could deliver together for a bigger impact?
• Talking to your train operator and discussing what opportunities are there to showcase your line
• Putting on writing competitions, heritage trails, art exhibitions or station open days
• Considering how you can promote the work you’ve already done and weave this into the celebrations
• Establishing what you want to get out of the campaign – do you want to use it as a recruitment drive to gain more volunteers? Do you want to engage with more schools/colleges in the area? Are you looking to reach a bigger audience to promote travel along your lines/through your station?