As reported in issue 328, more than 60 UK heritage railways big and small and venues took part in the Railway 200 Whistle-Up at noon on January 1, 2025…and other venues around the world joined in too!
The unique event sounded the launch of nine months of nationwide celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the official opening on September 27, 1825, of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the world’s first modern railway, in which steam locomotives hauled passenger coaches as well as freight for the first time, and revolutionised global transport forever.
*For details of Railway 200 events, log on to https://railway200.co.uk/
FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY
LOCOOMOTION MUSEUM AT SHILDON
WEST SOMERSET
by Laura Standerwick
MARCH
HELSTON
GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE RAILWAY
RAVENGLASS & ESKDALE STEAM RAILWAY
DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE
ISLE OF WIGHT
NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY
CALDECOTTE MINIATURE RAILWAY, MILTON KEYNES
PLYM VALLEY RAILWAY
BLUEBELL RAILWAY
TALYLLYN RAILWAY
KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY
LYNTON & BARNSTAPLE RAILWAY
TANFIELD RAILWAY
AVON VALLEY RAILWAY
EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY MUSEUM
MIDDLETON RAILWAY
by Andrew Gill
ATLANTIC RAIL, SOUTH AFRICA
IOWA, USA
RDC DEUTSCHLAND, GERMANY
REGIORAIL, FRANCE
RAILWAY 200 – BEST OF BRITISH – FLYING SCOTSMAN AND BRITANNIA
The Nene Valley Railway will be taking part in the Railway 200 celebrations with its “Best of British” series of events – kicking things off in a big way with the world’s most famous locomotive, A3 Pacific No. 60103 Flying Scotsman, immediately followed by BR Standard 7 4-6-2 No. 70000 Britannia.
Flying Scotsman will be running on February 22/23, March ½ and March 8/9. Passengers will have the opportunity to ride behind the celebrated locomotive at their chosen time with allocated seating. It will be the first time the locomotive has hauled passenger trains since 2023 and the line’s officials consider its visit a real honour and privilege. Flying Scotsman will be hauling at least one evening fish and chip train, with possibly more dates to be added as well as a photographic charter, and static visits to the footplate and to walk through the famous corridor tender.
No. 70000 Britannia will be hauling passenger trains on March 15/16, with all-day Rover tickets available, plus driver experiences, a photographic charter and the popular Jolly Fisherman evening fish and chip train.
A statement from the NVR, which did not take part in the Whistle-Up as it was closed, said: “Railway 200 is a huge celebration and we will continue to add additional events as the year continues, with September 13/14 already earmarked for a gala featuring our resident locomotives as well as an as-yet-unannounced visiting steam engine.
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