Alan Hyde, Marketing and Communications at Railway 200, introduces the first of a regular feature series celebrating 200 years of the modern railway, and shining a spotlight on rail’s transformative impact over time.
What’s the best way to tell a massive story that has touched people’s lives in innumerable ways? To encourage more people, from all backgrounds, to consider a career in rail. To re-set the public’s relationship with rail after testing times. And to restore national pride in a crucial industry as it goes through the biggest change for a generation.
It’s a daunting challenge. At the same time, it’s a unique opportunity for the UK’s railway to rediscover its collective mojo and to shout long, loud and proud about its considerable achievements, while recognising and addressing prevailing perceptions and performance, and communicating credibly ‘at the speed of proof’.
The answer to the challenge is to work in partnership, leveraging pan-industry support across a sector that employs some 250,000 proud, passionate and professional people. Together, the industry can be more than the sum of its parts.
The storytelling solution is to give structure to the narrative by adopting four main themes:
- Education & Skills - to promote diversity of careers and people.
- Heritage, Culture and Tourism.
- Innovation, Technology and Environment.
- Celebrating Railway People.
In the relatively short time since being established as an anniversary campaign for this landmark year, Railway 200 is already helping to bring the industry together to showcase its remarkable and evolving contribution to national life, through shared storytelling, branding, activities and events.
It’s not too late to get on board! Many already have, and it’s hugely encouraging to see growing involvement and enthusiasm from across the industry and beyond.
For Railway 200, last year was about planning and engagement, turning awareness into ownership. This year is about delivery, and the anniversary clock is ticking - based on standardised Railway Time, of course.
The year so far
A global Whistle-Up of 200 locomotives, blowing horns and whistles across five continents, signalled the start of the bicentenary.
The Royal Mint launched its annual coin set for 2025, featuring a £2 coin that celebrates the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on September 27 1825 - a journey that changed the world forever. The rail coin will be available individually later in the year.
In a great example of industry collaboration, January also saw the anniversary-inspired Rail Sale, offering up to 50% off more than two million Advance purchase tickets, and great days out across Britain up to the end of March.
A new Railway 200 charity partnership was launched with Alzheimer’s Research UK and the four rail charities, aiming to raise £200,000.
The Science Museum Group launched its Railway 200 merchandise range.
Tickets rapidly sold out for Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering at Derby from August 1-3.
The National Railway Museum unveiled its exciting 50th birthday plans.
The industry announced 2,000 new apprenticeships.
New cultural partnerships were developed, including with India’s biggest moviemaker and with Art UK, encouraging people to vote for their favourite UK railway artwork.
There have been at least three train naming ceremonies, thanks to LNER, Avanti West Coast and Southeastern.
A new anniversary-related children’s book has been launched (hat tip to East Midlands Railway).
Community Rail Partnerships and heritage railways are contributing in multi-various ways and at full throttle.
Overseas, new cultural and educational partnerships have been established, including in South Asia, and there is growing interest and involvement from other parts of the globe.
The BBC announced a two-part special on 200 Years of the Railway, with Michael Portillo, to be broadcast this autumn.
There’s also a growing buzz on social media, so please join in.
Please also visit the updated Railway 200 website (www.railway200.co.uk), where there is a treasure trove of interesting and useful information - including a timeline of major moments in rail’s development, a toolkit for partners to download, a STEM-based teacher toolkit (the biggest online education resource in the industry), and a news feed of the latest stories.
If you want to find out what’s happening near you, or to add your own event, visit the interactive map where more than 300 activities and events are listed.
Coming down the track
There is plenty to look forward and contribute to. Anniversary activity is expected to gather momentum during the spring and summer, with peak interest expected in September - the 200th anniversary month.
Coming up:
- On March 29, an amazing nine-month international festival began in Durham and Tees Valley, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 (www.sdr200.co.uk).
- On the same day, a new Railway 200 challenge badge was launched for Rangers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows around the world.
- Great Rail Tales is a collection of rail-based audio or filmed stories. Get in touch if you’d like to add yours.
- On June 27 Inspiration, Railway 200’s touring exhibition train, opens to the public at the Severn Valley Railway, before criss-crossing Britain for 12 months, visiting about 60 locations. This unique, eye-catching train, which is currently undergoing a re-fit, will promote railway innovation and careers.
Registrations of interest for the initial itinerary are open now (up to October 1). Bookings for free entry to this innovative visitor attraction open after Easter. The rest of the itinerary will be announced as soon as the complex train planning process is completed. See the Railway 200 website for details.
Railway 200 @ The Bluebell Railway - a three-month event from June to September for all ages, covering the past, present and future of rail. Govia Thameslink Railway has kindly offered 9,000 free train tickets for schoolchildren to enjoy an educational experience.
And there’s much more. Get involved and help to write a new chapter in rail’s revolutionary story.
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