Railway 200 is coming - Celebrating 200 years of the railway
The railway has played a crucial role in shaping the diverse history and shared heritage of Wales and the borders and 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway journey under steam power.
This took place on the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 27 September 1825. The c. 550 fare-paying passengers travelled 27 miles in less than three hours reaching speeds of 15 mph.
This momentous achievement was only possible by the revolutionary spark of transport innovation during Wales’ industrial boom in the early nineteenth century. From the trials and tribulations of Richard Trevithick and his locomotive developments to the Swansea and Mumbles Railway being the first fare-paying railroad - (by horses, not locomotives providing the pulling power) - these leaps in transport innovation and technology ignited the spark of the modern passenger railways.
The 200th anniversary campaign aims to celebrate the growth, innovation and renewal of the railway while inspiring a new generation of STEM professionals for a career in rail’s exciting future.
The campaign programme is centred around four themes.
- Heritage and culture
- Celebrating railway people
- Education and skills
- Innovation, technology and environment
Working with industry professionals, communities, academia and museums, 2025 will see a range of activities and events taking place across Wales and borders to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance to a sustainable future.
The programme is part of our ongoing ambition to create a more socially sustainable and culturally responsible transport network. We want the people of Wales and the borders to be proud of their transport system, proud of using the network and to be proud of our shared heritage and aspirations for the future.
