Railway 200

Celebrating 200 years of the modern railway

Railway 200 is the nationwide celebration marking 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 27 September 1825.

During 2025 Network Rail, alongside many other rail industry partners, will be celebrating rail’s remarkable past, recognise its importance today, and look forward to its future.

There will be events and activities hosted by rail industry partners to celebrate this milestone throughout 2025. Take a look at the Railway 200 events page to learn more about upcoming events and activities across the country.

To find out more about the history of rail, the 200 year celebration and different ways to get involved, take a look at the Railway 200 website.

Railway 200 Activity Book

This Railway 200 activity booklet takes you on a journey through the past 200 years of rail. There are key dates, interesting facts and fun activities throughout.

Explore 200 Years of Railway Stories

To celebrate 200 years of the modern passenger railway, we’ve created a series of short animations sharing stories of innovation, heritage, people, and skills. Join Sandeep, Luke, Sally and Elisha as they take you through the railway’s rich history and exciting future.