The Railway 200 celebrations, marking the bicentenary of the modern railway on 27 September 1825, have already been a triumph, with the community rail movement playing a central and inspiring role throughout the year.
We are still seeing members deliver creative and exciting initiatives to connect communities with their local railways and stations – and we’re here to celebrate it all!
To commemorate the big day on Saturday, we have compiled a selection of members’ brilliant Railway 200-themed work, honouring rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance for a sustainable future.
No idea has been off-limits this year when it came to community rail partnerships and station volunteer groups getting involved in the Railway 200 celebrations.
We’ve seen incredible exhibitions, delving into local and railway history, from Friends of Honiton Station, South East Lancashire CRP, Yorkshire Coast CRP and Wherry Lines CRP. Amazing artwork has popped up at stations across Britain – Cleethorpes, New Milton, Shotton and Northwich to name a few.
Artwork isn’t the only creative practice that was explored. Bishop Line CRP produced ‘Passengers & Pioneers’, an album of original songs and poems telling the story of how one very special railway line in the north east has connected people and places for 200 years. Heart of England CRP announced the winners of the Rail Tales creative writing competition for young people and Tyne Valley CRP helped primary school children join in the celebrations through song writing and sound engineering.
Birthday celebrations abounded across the rail network. Bentham Line CRP celebrated 175 years with a super seaside trip, and Rye Station wasn’t far behind with its 174th birthday celebrations. The whole community was invited to celebrate Axminster Station turning 165 years old, as well as Penmere Station reaching its impressive centenary.
Storytelling has been at the heart of the celebrations. Community Rail Lancashire’s ‘200 Stories of Railway Pride’ anthology brought together stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, encompassing the heart-breaking to the humorous and the hopeful. Kents Bank Station Library was the perfect setting for the launch of a new book celebrating Britain’s oldest working steam locomotive and Essex & South Suffolk CRP produced a booklet charting the history of Britain’s railways, researched and authored by station adopters and rail enthusiasts, and illustrated by local school children.
Members really got creative when it came to thinking of interesting ways to mark the national celebrations. Abbey Line CRP collaborated with Pope’s Yard Brewery to commission a special guest beer, inspired by the heritage of the line and local wildlife. Southeast Communities Rail Partnership created an impressive model railway layout built inside four box files, highlighting their community rail activities from across the region, and Severnside CRP hosted an activity train adventure for families to Bristol in connection with the ‘Gromit Unleashed 3 trail’, where the passengers had the chance to take part in a hands-on plasticine model-making workshop, exploring the craft behind stop-motion animation.
Youth engagement and education is always high on the agenda for our members. To help teach primary school-aged children important rail safety messages in an engaging and interactive way, 6VT Youth CRP created the Rail Explorers’ Activity Book, and Trans Wilts CRP took over 70 children on a trip to Bristol to learn about the contributions of Isambard Kingdom Brunel to the building of the railways.
It of course wouldn’t be a community rail celebration without encouraging more people to choose the train to explore new places in a greener, healthier way. We’ve seen Rail Ale Trails from the Friends of Handforth Station and the volunteers at Gordin Hill and Enfield Chase stations. Purbeck CRP’s shuttle bus service ran for the fourth summer in a row with a Railway 200 theme, transporting nature lovers from Wareham Station to the popular RSPB Arne Nature Reserve. Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership set people a stamp-collecting challenge and Penistone Line Partnership showcased local artists and encouraged more people to get out and about along the line with their poster trail.
And, last but not least, it’s been incredible to see our members getting involved with the exciting Railway 200 exhibition train. At Lowestoft, Birmingham and Darlington stations, community rail has played a huge part in bringing to life the past, present and future of Britain’s railways.
One thing is for certain – our members have worked tirelessly throughout 2025 to connect communities with their local railways and stations and celebrate this iconic bicentenary. Cheers to 200 years!
Let’s end the anniversary year on a high note. We’ve got something special planned – and we want all our members to be part of it. Keep an eye out for how you can join us in waving goodbye to this milestone year with joy and celebration. Stay tuned!
