Industrial And Transport

Railway 200 @ Bluebell Railway

Railway 200 is a nationwide programme running throughout 2025 to celebrate 200 years since the opening of the Stockton to Darlington Railway - world's first public railway. The national Railway 200 programme aims to encourage and involve the entire rail industry - including heritage railways - to run events to celebrate this milestone. The Bluebell Railway is uniquely placed to host the largest Railway 200 event in South-East England. We expect around 100,000 attendees over a nine-week period, including approximately 23,000 teenage schoolchildren. Horsted Keynes Station will host ‘Rail Present and Future’ with an exciting range of exhibits not normally found at a heritage railway, while Sheffield Park hosts ‘Rail Past’ – a celebration of the history of Britain's railways. As well as enabling a major celebration, the grant will leave a significant legacy that will enhance the ability of the Bluebell Railway to preserve, display and interpret railway heritage.