Railway 200

Celebrating 200 years of the modern railway

Countdown to 27 September:

the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

151days 18hours 58minutes 20seconds

2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever.

Nationwide celebrations, including on the SWR network, are taking place to showcase the railway’s transformative impact on the world, and how it continues to shape the future.

Railway 200 invites everyone to get involved in this historic milestone – whether by displaying the Railway 200 logo, organising events and activities, running competitions, or sharing rail stories.

See the official Railway 200 website to learn more about it.

Railway 200: be part of the journey

Railway 200 events

The year began with 200 locomotives blowing horns and whistles across five continents to welcome in Railway 200. The following day The Royal Mint launched its annual coin set for 2025. Since then there's been lots going on, with rail operators hosting their own events, including SWR.

We're hosting a series of events throughout the year to celebrate Railway 200 across our network, including at Waterloo, Weymouth, Pokesdown, Richmond, Dorchester and more. Hop on a train, and enjoy the likes of choir performances, history lessons, walks on disused railway lines, and food and drink.

Here's what's coming up...

Railway 200 events calendar

Mon 10 March

Secrets of Salisbury

Fri 14 March

Richmond canopy photos

Sat 15 March

Mural unveiling at New Milton station

Sat 29 March

Stories from the Station play at Bitterne station

Mon 21 March

History of people of Netley

Fri 4 April

Dorchester South Mid-Tier opening

Sat 5 April

Mural unveiling at Ashurst station

Sat 12 April

Celebration of the Electrification and 140th anniversary of the station at Horsley station

Tue 15 April

Celebration of life of Jack Philips at Farncombe station

Mon 12 May

Winnersh plaque at Winnersh Triangle station

Wed 21 May

140th celebration linked to Woking station birthday

Silent disco in car park and Rupert Bear at Surbiton station

Sat 24 May

Walks on disused railway lines at Guildford

Sun 25 May

Walks on disused railway lines at Farnham

Thu 29 May

Reading 185 event at Reading station

There are lots of other Railway 200 events taking place across the UK, which you can find on the Railway 200 official website.

Celebrating railway artwork

Watercress Line textile artwork

Railway artwork has been a big theme in the Railway 200 celebrations.

The Watercress Line in Hampshire is unveiling its 200 'Community Textile Timeline of Train Travel’ – a vibrant celebration of 200 years of railway history depicted through the medium of textiles, sewing and embroidery – that will be touring libraries and venues across the county.

Find out more about where to catch this artwork on the Watercress Line website.

Vote for you favourite railway artwork

Separately, to celebrate the connection between the railway and artists, the public has chosen the 20 best-loved artworks featuring the UK railway from a list of 200 chosen by Art UK. You can now see these top picks and vote for your favourite. The deadline is 1 June, and the wining artwork will be announced on 9 June. Vote for your favourite.

Railway 200 in pictures

Start a career in rail

Railway 200 encourages people to consider a future in the railway industry, no matter which stage of the career journey you're at.

There are plenty of job opportunities at South Western Railway. Check our careers page for all open vacancies, or click here for apprenticeship opportunities.