The
railway
industry
is
launching
a
celebration
which
will
mark
200
years
of
passenger
railways
in
Britain
in
2025.
On
27
September
1825
the
world’s
first
passenger
train,
hauled
by
George
Stephenson’s
Locomotion
No.1,
carried
over
400
people
along
the
Stockton
&
Darlington
Railway.
The
landmark
event
drew
crowds
of
up
to
40,000
people,
although
in
the
early
years
of
the
S&D
steam
locomotives
then
hauled
goods
trains,
and
infrequent
passenger
trains
were
pulled
by
horses.
Five
years
later
the
Liverpool
&
Manchester
Railway
opened,
as
the
first
railway
to
be
designed
exclusively
for
steam
power
and
also
intended
to
carry
passengers
from
the
outset.
Now,
with
two
years
to
go
until
the
bicentenary
of
the
Stockton
&
Darlington,
the
rail
industry
has
confirmed
it
will
mark
the
anniversary
and
the
far-reaching
effects
of
railways
and
train
travel,
with
a
year-long
programme
called
Railway
200.
A
logo
for
the
celebrations
has
been
unveiled
along
with
a
website.
The
logo
symbolises
the
idea
that
rail
is
a
continuous
line
connecting
the
country,
which
the
organisers
said
was
‘the
fabric
woven
throughout
our
history,
linking
lives,
communities
and
cultures,
whilst
leading
the
way
towards
the
future’.
Developed
by
a
cross
industry
partnership,
with
a
focus
on
inspiring
the
next
generation,
Railway
200
will
be
a
national
programme
starting
in
January
2025.
A
wide
variety
of
activities,
initiatives
and
partnerships
is
being
considered,
including
commemorative
items,
so
that
Railway
200
can
celebrate
rail’s
remarkable
past,
recognise
its
importance
today,
and
look
forward
to
its
future.
Plans
are
also
underway
for
an
exhibition
train
which
will
travel
around
the
rail
network
and
take
Railway
200
to
people
all
over
Britain.
Developed
in
partnership
with
the
National
Railway
Museum
and
rolling
stock
leasing
company
Porterbrook,
this
train
will
consist
of
different
exhibitions
and
interactive
elements
for
young
people
and
their
families.
Organisations
around
the
country
are
already
planning
their
own
events.
Railway
200
invites
the
rail
industry,
its
partners
and
custodians
of
our
railway
heritage,
art
and
artefacts
to
consider
how
they
can
play
their
part.
Peter
Hendy
chairs
Network
Rail
and
also
Railway
200.
Lord
Hendy
said:
‘The
world
changed
forever
in
1825
and
the
200th
anniversary
of
this
first
passenger
train
journey
is
an
historic
opportunity
to
reset
the
public’s
relationship
with
rail.
It
is
our
chance
to
present
the
railway
as
a
forward
thinking,
digital
industry
and
as
an
attractive
career
option
for
young
people
and
for
people
from
many
different
backgrounds.
‘For
Railway
200
to
reach
its
full
potential,
we
must
harness
the
knowledge
and
efforts
of
the
whole
industry,
so
I
hope
you
will
join
us
in
creating
a
programme
of
celebrations
which
will
recognise
this
great
British
achievement,
the
first
public
passenger
train
in
the
world,
while
inspiring
a
new
generation
to
take
our
innovative
railway
far
into
the
future.’
Railway
Industry
Association
chief
executive
Darren
Caplan
said:
‘It
is
hard
to
overstate
the
benefits
that
the
railway
has
brought,
and
continues
to
bring,
not
just
to
the
UK,
but
also
globally,
since
1825.
Rail
networks
don’t
just
keep
people
connected,
they
also
play
a
crucial
role
in
spurring
economic
growth,
creating
jobs,
boosting
sustainability,
and
bringing
together
local
communities.’
Rail
Delivery
Group
chief
executive
Jacqueline
Starr
added:
‘The
world’s
first
passenger
train
changed
transport
forever,
and
the
anniversary
of
that
journey
is
a
chance
for
the
rail
industry
to
celebrate
our
history
and
look
to
the
future.
Railway
200
is
a
chance
to
show
the
world
that
the
innovative
spirit
of
1825
is
still
very
much
alive
today,
with
a
programme
of
activities
that
draws
upon
the
creativity
and
talent
that
exists
across
the
railway.’
Meanwhile
Railnews
launches
a
new
business
website
tomorrow,
and
this
will
play
a
part
in
helping
to
celebrate
200
years
of
railways.
