The Royal Mint has launched a commemorative £2 coin to mark this year’s 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever.
The start of rail’s bicentenary celebration was heralded on New Year’s Day with a global Whistle-Up of 200 locomotives blowing whistles and horns across the UK and as far away as New Zealand, Australia, South America, the USA, South Africa and Sierra Leone, spanning five continents.
The launch of the commemorative coin is part of a year-long programme called Railway 200, which will explore the railway’s role in shaping national life. The £2 rail coin is part of The Royal Mint’s annual set of five coins that celebrate upcoming national milestones and anniversaries throughout 2025. It will be available to collect individually later this year.
Emma Robertson, programme manager for Railway 200, a cross-sector, partner-led campaign, said: “Coming down the tracks this year is a bumper programme of exciting initiatives and shared storytelling for everyone to get involved with and enjoy.
“Railway 200 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the railway, its people and communities to shout long, loud and proud about rail’s many achievements and plans for a more sustainable future.
“It will cover the past, present and future of the railway. As well as showcasing rail’s pioneering pedigree, it will excite and invite more people to consider a career in the railway.”
More than 100 activities and events are currently shown on a searchable interactive map, which is regularly updated at railway200.co.uk/events.
In addition to train naming ceremonies, public talks, heritage trails and open days, forthcoming Railway 200 highlights include:
Railway 200-related activity, including a summer festival, at the Locomotion museum in Shildon, on the route of the original Stockton and Darlington Railway; commemorative events at the National Trust cottage in Wylam, Northumberland, where rail pioneer George Stephenson was born; Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield, where he is buried; and Stephenson College, Durham University, where he is honoured.
A nine-month international festival across Durham and Tees Valley, from March to November.
S&DR200 (www.sdr200.co.uk) will present free, large-scale outdoor spectacles, events, exhibitions and new art commissions at world class venues; an anniversary-related mega rail sale, offering discounted tickets for great days out; a four-carriage touring exhibition train called Inspiration, curated by the NRM, which will criss-cross Britain for a year from this summer, promoting rail innovation and careers; The Greatest Gathering, a three-day family festival in August at train builder Alstom’s historic works in Derby, the new home of the railway, displaying the largest temporary assembly of trains and rail exhibits in a generation; the National Railway Museum’s 50th birthday celebrations, including the summer re-opening of its refurbished Station Hall, home to the Royal carriages; an international competition to choose the world’s favourite UK rail art, hosted online by Art UK a Railway 200-themed Community Rail Week in May, organised by the Community Rail Network from July to September, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway near Bradford (UK City of Culture 2025) will host the Olivier award-winning theatre production of The Railway Children. Staged in the location where the classic film was shot, the immersive production includes a steam train ride for the audience; a Railway 200 badge for Scouts and Guides across the world, devised by Girlguiding North East.
In addition, as part of Railway 200’s Great Rail Tales project, people are invited to share their rail stories. These could be about moments of particular significance in their lives, such as a chance encounter that led to a lasting relationship, an awe-inspiring journey, an act of kindness or a funny or remarkable experience.
During the bicentenary, Railway 200 aims to raise £200,000 for a unique charity partnership of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Children, Transport Benevolent Fund, Rail Benefit Fund and the Railway Mission, who will be working together to protect rail memories for the future.
For details and to donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/railway200#supportersList. Fundraising packs will be available soon.
For more information and to get involved, share a story and download a toolkit of handy materials and messages visit www.railway200.co.uk
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
