The Railway 200 whistling launch!

By Robin Jones

Just as the opening of the first modern railway in 1825 reshaped global transport, so the start of the Stockton & Darlington bicentenary celebrations captured the attention and imagination of Britain and overseas.

Noon on January 1 saw the Whistle-Up event in which more than 200 steam, diesel and electric locomotives at around 60 venues in the UK sounded their whistles and horns in unison to mark the start of Railway 200, an unprecedented and growing nationwide programme of celebratory and educational public events in be staged through 2025.

It was on September 27, 1825, that George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 became the first steam engine to haul both passengers and freight.

The Heritage Railway Association invited venues across the UK to take part in the Whistle-Up.

The focal point of the event was the Locomotion museum in Shildon where nearly 100 people witnessed the moment when the detached whistle of 1875-built NER 2-4-0 No. 910 sounded. Youngsters blew bright red whistles which had been distributed to the crowd.

Gateshead-built No. 910 has taken part in every Stockton & Darlington Railway anniversary celebration from 1875 to 1975. It is undergoing restoration in preparation for the anniversary celebrations.

Shildon residents Anne Hopps (part of the Locomotion learning team) and museum volunteer Peter Robinson were given the honour of blowing the whistle.

Peter produced a certificate from the 1975 anniversary, marking 50 years since he volunteered for that event too.

No. 910 was one of 55 901 class 2-4-0 express passenger locomotives built to a design by Edward Fletcher between 1872 and 1882. No. 910 is the last surviving member of the 901 class which featured a novel device that diverted exhaust steam from the blastpipe to an outlet beneath the cylinders known as ‘exhaust cocks’, thereby softening the blast through the chimney when worked hard to reduce fire-throwing within the firebox. Accordingly, the class proved economical on coal consumption. 

No. 910 was withdrawn by the LNER at York in January 1925 and was externally restored to original condition. The LNER decided to save it for posterity and displayed it at its Queen Street Museum, and so it was able to participate in the Stockton & Darlington 50th, centenary and 150th celebrations.

As we will now see, each location that took part in the Whistle-Up was left with its own stories to tell.

Beyond our shores, other heritage railways took part in the Whistle-Up including Atlantic Rail in South Africa, Shanty Town Heritage Park in New Zealand and Veluwsche Stoomtrein in The Netherlands.

At the Volks Electric Railway in Brighton, the world’s oldest working electric railway, newsreader Nicholas Owen blew the ceremonial whistle at noon. The seafront line, which was named Railway of the Year in the Heritage railway association Annual Awards 2024, was closed for the winter and a few hardy onlookers braced the howling wind and driving rain to glimpse the ceremony.

HRA policy and communications manager Mark Pearce said: “The Whistle-Up was a perfect way to start Railway 200 and 2025. Around 60 heritage railways and museums took part and they were joined by parts of the national network with well over 200 locomotive whistles and horns. The event went international too – even American national passenger train operator Amtrak got involved.

“Seeing so many organisations taking part was a powerful reminder of how strong the railway ‘family’ is and what an impression it can make when we all pull together. It also generated fantastic coverage in broadcast media, print and on social media platforms, really capturing the public imagination.

“But it’s just the start of Railway 200. Heritage railways right across the country are putting the finishing touches to scores of exciting events to celebrate Railway 200, so there’ll be an opportunity for everyone to celebrate this important milestone.”  

Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “The world changed forever in 1825 with the birth of the modern railway in Britain, and rolled out across the globe.

“Railway 200’s celebrations are a unique opportunity to honour a groundbreaking moment in our history while looking boldly towards the future.

“The Whistle-Up event marks the start of a year that will showcase how the railway continues to transform lives, connect communities, and create growth, jobs, housing and tourism.”

Alan Hyde from Railway 200 said: “The 200th anniversary of the modern railway marks a major milestone in our national life.

“In time-honoured fashion, the Whistle-Up fanfare launched what promises to be a memorable year with lots of exciting activities and events planned.”

For more information about Railway 200 and its events, visit https://railway200.co.uk

NER 2-4-0 No. 901 with A3 Pacific No. 4472 at the landmark Shildon cavalcade held in 1975 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. JOHN TITLOW

At Locomotion in Shildon at noon on New Years’ Day, Anne Hopps and Peter Robinson sound the whistle of NER 2-4-0 No. 910, which featured in all three Stockton & Darlington anniversary events and once its overhaul is completed, is set to figure in this year’s bicentenary celebrations. NRM

Visitors braved the wet conditions in Grosmont on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to experience the Whistle-Up featuring Southern Railway V 4-4-0 No. 926 Repton, USATC S160 No. 2253 Omaha and Lambton Colliery Kitson 0-6-2T No. 29. NYMR

Whistle-Up wows the Bridgnorth crowd!

On January 1 at precisely midday, BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75069 sounded its whistle on platform 2 at Bridgnorth station on the Severn Valley Railway to mark the start of Railway 200, reports John Titlow.

Despite it being New Year’s Day, the 10am service out of Kidderminster was crowded with few seats available. I joined the train at Highley expecting to get a seat but fewer passengers than normal got off to visit the Engine House visitor centre: most headed straight for Bridgnorth to record the start of Railway 200.

Upon arrival the headboard, made especially for the event, was transferred from the tender to the smokebox before running round. The locomotive then headed into the shed yard for coal and photographs of the crew on the front plate.

While the train stood in platform 1 and after coaling, the locomotive was positioned in platform 2 which was packed – including the footbridge overlooking the station.

Driver Mick Mathews sounded the whistle as fireman Alex Robinson looked on before No. 75069 headed off to rejoin the train in time for the 12.20pm departure.

The general reaction was one of excitement and the return train to Kidderminster was equally full. Clearly people had decided to come out to witness this event despite the overcast weather.

The headboard will see use throughout the year but will not be used daily.

A sign of the times with mobile telephones aloft to record the whistling start of Railway 200 at Bridgnorth station on January 1. JOHN TITLOW

Driver Mick Matthews (left) and fireman Alex Robinson prepare to play their part in the Bridgnorth Whistle-Up. JOHN TITLOW

World’s oldest joins the show

By Sally Clifford

The deafening sound of whistles heralded the start of a very special celebration for the world’s oldest continuously-working railway and what, in June 1960, became the first standard gauge line to be taken over and operated by volunteers.

So, at noon prompt on New Year’s Day, Leeds Labour councillor Paul Wray, who represents the city’s Hunslet and Riverside ward, sounded the whistle to officially start the Railway 200 celebrations during the line’s annual mince pie special run at the Moor Road site.

Keeping to tradition, Leeds-built Manning Wardle’s steam locomotive No. 1210 Sir Berkeley, owned the line’s’s partner organisation, Vintage Carriages Trust, along with its young volunteer crew and driver, Mark Calvert, journeyed along the former quarry line to Middleton Park.

In response to Sir Berkeley’s whistle, the horn was sounded on the former Mersey Docks and Harbour Board workhorse Hudswell Clarke D1373 MD&HB 45.

Middleton chairman Charles Milner said: “We took part partly to commemorate the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, which was a hugely significant event and led to the rapid spread of railways throughout the UK and subsequently throughout the world, but, also to mark the contribution of the Middleton Railway and Leeds to the development of railways.”

Middleton vice president Ian Smith added: “It shows that railways in this country are not competitive – they are partners. If you want to get from one end of the country to the other on the train you need several different railways to do it, and working together is by far the best way to achieve that.”

Heralding a tradition: Leeds councillor Paul Wray sounds the whistle on Sir Berkeley at THE Middleton Railway on New Year’s Day. SALLY CLIFFORD

Still very much with us….

At noon on January 1, the crew of the Swanage Railway Trust’s unique LSWR T3 4-4-0 No. 563 blew its whistle as it departed Swanage station hauling a passenger train to Norden. The young crew comprised volunteer driver Billy Johnson from Swanage and volunteer fireman Aidan Strand from Poole.

“It was great to participate in the Railway 200 whistle off as was being a part of history and the legacy of railways as a whole,” said Aidan. “I doubt that two centuries ago those initial entrepreneurs, or the public, would have even considered railways powered by steam locomotives still being around 200 years on.”

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Frank Roberts said: “Railway 200 celebrates the past, present and future of rail and we are delighted that our two museums – the museum in the restored goods shed at Corfe Castle station and the Purbeck Mining Museum next to Norden station – showcase the important contributions that railways, both standard gauge and narrow gauge, have made to the Isle of Purbeck across almost two centuries.”

LSWR T3 4-4-0 No. 563 performs the Whistle-Up at Swanage station. ANDREW PM WRIGHT

Marcia on first passenger duty for 40 years

DIMINUTIVE Peckett 0-4-0T Marcia, the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s smallest locomotive, made a triumphant return in the Whistle-Up celebrations after not having hauled a passenger train for more than 40 years, writes Geoff Courtney.

The much-loved 1923-built locomotive which was donated to the railway after its withdrawal in 1962, is now owned jointly by model train manufacturer Rapido Trains UK and the company’s general manager Andy Hardy, a volunteer KESR driver.

With a tractive effort of just 3870lb-ft, Marcishas limited opportunities to haul passenger trains, but on New Year’s Day it joined Whistle-Up with a two-coach set of vintage carriages and Andy on the regulator as it ran shuttles between Tenterden Town and Rolvenden stations, a return journey of three miles. Due to its size the little 12-ton engine was unable to provide steam heat, but passengers were advised in advance to dress warmly on a New Year’s day that left happy passengers with an equally warm feeling.

Little engine, big heart: Peckett 0-4-0 Marcia makes good progress up the 1-in-50 bank between Rolvenden and Tenterden Town during Whistle-Up on January 1 with joint-owner Andy Hardy on the regulator. The diminutive engine was on passenger duty for the first time in more than 40 years as part of the nationwide Whistle-Up celebrations. ALAN CROTTY

Five steam for Tanfield Whistle-Up

The Whistle-Up at the Tanfield Railway featured five steam locomotives plus three diesels.

General manager David Watchman said: “It’s fantastic to be part of the Railway 200 Whistle-Up and to represent the North East’s rich industrial railway heritage.

“Locations like Tanfield played a pivotal role in the development of the modern railways. Starting as a wooden waggonway, Tanfield soon became one of the busiest in the world, fueling the industrial revolution. Railways changed the way we live, and this event marks a truly momentous occasion for us all to enjoy.”

The Whistle-Up also marked the beginning of Tanfield300, a year-long celebration of the line’s tercentenary, with festival-style events to be held throughout 2025.

Pictured at Marley Hill for the Whistle-Up are, left to right, Barclay 0-6-0ST Horden, RSH 0-6-0ST NCB No.49, Barclay 0-4-0ST Stanley, Robert Stephenson 0-6-0T No. 3 Twizell and RSH 0-4-0ST Sir Cecil A. Cochrane. DAVE WILSON

Railway 200 team attend Whistle-Up at miniature line

The Railway 200 year was launched at every size and gauge of railway in the UK on a wet, cold and windy New Yearps Day – including the Milton Keynes-based Caldecotte Miniature Railway. The multi-gauge line hosted the inaugural Railway 200 team members, project sponsor Emma Roberts, project manager Sharna Smith, and Phil Marsh.

LMS-liveried Achillies design 0-6-0T Wolverton was steamed specially for the Whistle-Up launch. Owned and driven by Ben Cox for the event: following his apprenticeship at Wolverton Works commencing in 2017, he is now an engineer there

CMR operations manager Bob James began his railway career in 1958 at Nine Elms and has only just given up driving duties at the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway after 65 years on steam. He trained Ben Cox as a steam driver who in turn is training 13-years-old Jensen Warren in the art. “A superb example of generational training,” Ben told Heritage Railway.

“We at Caldecotte Miniature Railway in Milton Keynes are very pleased to represent the miniature railway sector for such a historic event as Railway 200,” he said: “It was a pleasure to meet Emma Roberts and Sharna Smith who started the Railway 200 project back in 2023. “Having learnt to drive steam engines from ex-BR steam enginemen such as Bob James, I am now pleased to be passing down the skills to the next generation of volunteers so we can keep steam working for years to come.”

That is one of the main aims of Railway 200, to encourage volunteering and use those skills to help generate a route into rail via miniature, narrow gauge and standard gauge railways – and conversely, to encourage professional railway staff to acquire wider skillsets by volunteering therefore enhancing their career opportunities. 

Left to right are Sharna Smith and daughter, Bob James, Emma Roberts, Mark Roberts, Ben Cox on the locomotive, Shane Barry and Jenson Warren at the Caldecott Miniature Railway Whistle-Up. PHIL MARSH

British locomotive joins Whistle-Up 8000 miles away!

The UK collectively built thousands of steam locomotives for export around the world. One of these, a Class 24 3ft 6in gauge 2-8-4 No. 3655 Jenny, was built in 1949 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow. Jenny is now leased and maintained by Altlantic Rail, a South African main line steam charter company but owned by Cape Western Vintage Railways and was used to kick-off the Railway 200 celebrations – in South Africa on January 1!

The Whistle-Up was carried out as No. 3655 ran tender first driven by Clive Holliday to Hartenbos from Grootbrakrivier along the stunning Indian Ocean coastline in the Western Cape of South Africa where steam traction still holds firm.

Speaking to Heritage Railway after the event, Clive said: “It was a fabulous journey along the Indian Ocean in 28 degrees under blue skies, nothing beats this! And there will be more Railway 200 events this year.

Clive is a former South West Trains railway engineer at Wimbledon Depot and before that at The Mid-Hants Railway where he oversaw the return to steam of Bullied Pacific No. 34016 Bodmin in time to commence Steam Dreams operations in 2000. He drives for Atlantic Rail operating tourist trains in South Africa and will be carrying a Railway 200 headboard throughout 2025.

1949-built North British Locomotive Class 24 No. 3655 Jenny and Clive Holliday who organised and drove the South Africa Railway 200 Whistle-Up train. ATLANTIC RAIL

Whistling road steam at March station

Campaigners battling to reopen the Wisbech to March line did not have a railway locomotive present to join in the Whistle-Up – but, undeterred, still managed a steam presence at March station.

Andrew Goakes and his family joined us with his traction engine Jimmy to perform the honours at the noon sound-off organised by the Bramley Line Heritage Railway and the Friends of March Railway Station.

Rob Able and his colleagues from the Friends opened their rooms up on the middle platform at March for people to view the community railway model of March station and associated sidings.

Peter Wright, leader of the Cambridgeshire and Fens Group of the B17 Steam Locomotive Trust attended on its behalf.

Traction engine Jimmy held the fort for Whistle-Up at March. BLHR

Sounding off at West Somerset

At Bishops Lydeard, the West Somerset Railway took part in Whistle-Up with WR 4-6-0 No. 7828 Odney Manor and Class 33 D6566 sounding off.

Bob and Liz Ellis, who were celebrating more than 20 years of service at the railway, pulled the whistle on No. 7828 while the line’s youngest volunteer, Elliott Freegard, aged 14, blew the horn on D6566.

The whistle sounded for a full minute in front of a large crowd. The cast of the West Somerset Railway pantomime was also present, ready to board a train to Williton two hours later.

A service went to Williton, where the line’s longest-serving volunteer, Steve Martin, was given the whistling honours on WR 4-6-0 No. 9351, celebrating 52 years of service to the day.

Volunteer Liz Ellis said: “The Whistle-Up was great fun and a privilege to be involved in such an historical milestone.”

WR 4-6-0 No. 7828 Odney Manor and Class 33 D6566 mark the start of Railway 200 at the Whistle-Up at Bishops Lydeard. LAURA STANDERWICK

We were on board too!

The whistle-up afforded the Chinnor & Princess Risborough Railway to thank some of its volunteers for their hard work, with some of the hard-working catering volunteers being invited to sound a whistle each.

Heritage Railway journalist Owen Hayward was also asked to sound a few blasts on the two-tone whistles of GWR pannier tank No. 1369 at Chinnor station at noon – all while a handful of passengers and platform staff accompanied using their own whistles brought from home.

Following this, there were a few minutes where members of the public were also permitted to step onto the footplate to have a go, before the train was readied for its next departure to Princes Risborough at 12.15pm.

Owen Hayward takes his turn at the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway’s Whistle-Up. ANDY FREEMAN/CPRR

A lofty steam jet from rises South Devon Railway-based GWR pannier tank No. 1369 directly into the overcast sky during the Whistle-Up at Chinnor station. OWEN HAYWARD

Whistle-Up departure a sell out

Visiting from the Dartmouth Steam Railway, GWR 2-8-0T No. 4277 Hercules took centre stage in the Norfolk Railway’s Whistle-Up event.

The departure of its scheduled noon mince pie special from Sheringham was delayed by three minutes to allow the locomotive to take part in the Whistle-Up.

Volunteer driver for the day Edmund Crosthwaite is also operations manager for the Railway 200 mobile exhibition train, named Inspiration. The train will criss-cross the country from summer 2025 for 12 months to promote STEM subjects and careers in the railway industry.

Edmund said: “It’s great to see heritage railways like the North Norfolk leading the industry in the Whistle-Up to mark the start of Railway 200.”

The train hauled by Hercules immediately after the event was a sell-out.

Blowing their own whistles alongside Hercules at Sheringham on January 1. LEIGH CAUDWELL

Driver Edmund Crosthwaite sounds the whistle inside Hercules for the great occasion. LEIGH CAUDWELL

Multiple whistling in the mountains

The hills of Snowdonia echoed with the sound of locomotive whistles at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway went full out to mark the start of Railway 200 on January 1.

Passengers on the morning ‘Christmas Mountain Spirit’ heard the train locomotives Hunslet 2-4-0STTs Linda and Blanche sound their whistles as the service rounded the spiral at Dduallt.

At Portmadog Harbour station, England 0-4-0STT No. 4 Palmerston let fly at noon, while at Dinas, Ff&WHR general manager sounded the whistle of Beyer Garrett No. 143, which had been working the ‘Christmas Cwellyn’ service from Caernarfon.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway general manager Paul Lewin sounded the whistle of Garrett No. 143. Ff&WHR

In pouring rain and 486 miles from Darlington, the Helston Railway – the most southerly heritage railway in the UK and the most westerly in England took part in the Whistle-Up with Barclay diesel Kingswood and general manager Colin Savage’s restored 1929-built Garrett 4CD steam tractor sounding off at noon at Truthall Halt.  COLIN SAVAGE

The Whistle-Up at the Great Central Railway saw WR 4-6-0 No. 6990 Witherslack Hall and the line’s Metro-Cammel DMU sounding off at Quorn & Woodhouse. GCR

The Whistle-Up event at Didcot Railway Centre featured GWR prairie No. 4144.

The event reported a good attendance despite the rain. No. 4144 started the day carrying Y25 reporting numbers which were changed to 200 for the afternoon session. FRANK DUMBLETON

First train exhibited after Railway 200 launch

The modern-day main line standard gauge replica of the train which opened the Stockton & Darlington Railway on September 27, 1825, became the subject of a special free exhibition at the award-winning Hopetown Darlington attraction in the immediate aftermath of Whistle-Up.

 The 1975-built working replica of George Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1, the newly-built passenger carriage Experiment and three chaldron wagons were displayed in Grade II listed Carriage Works at Hopetown from January 2-12, kicking off the celebrations for the bicentenary festival.

On January 4, Steve Davies MBE from the International Railway Heritage Company held a question and answer session about the replica.

At the climax of Railway 200, on September 26, 27, and 28, the replica train will run over the S&DR route from Shildon via Darlington to Stockton-on-Tees.

The train that changed the world forever: the replica of Locomotion No. 1, three chaldron wagons and carriage Experiment on display inside Hopetown Darlington in January. DARLINGTON BC

New £2 coin marks S&D bicentenary

‘The journey that changed the world’ is the inscription on the £2 coin released by the Royal Mint marking the Stockton & Darlington Railway bicentenary.

Designed by William Webb, the reverse of the commemorative £2 coin struck depicts that seminal journey in 1825.

The coin also features the edge inscription ‘Active · Locomotion No. 1’ in tribute to the revolutionary locomotive’s original name.

It is one of a set of five special coins issued on December 27. The others are a £5 coin to mark 125 years since the birth of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, a £2 coin to mark the 350th anniversary of The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, a 50p coin honouring the Red Arrows, and a 50p coin featuring stories of World War Two.

The 2025 commemorative sets will be available in a range of precious metal and base proof finishes, from 2 January via www.royalmint.com/our-coins/ranges/annual-sets/2022-annual-coin-sets with prices starting from £39.50. Each of the coins will be available individually throughout 2025.

The new £2 coin marking the bicentenary. ROYAL MINT

Railway 200 get-together at Severn Valley

Five days after the Whistle-Up sounded, around 100 volunteers representing 15 heritage railways and locomotive-owning groups from across the UK came together at the Severn Valley Railway on Sunday, January 5, to launch Railway 200.

The representatives assembled at the Engine House at Highley, to witness recently-overhauled Stanier mogul No 13268 as it passed shortly before 3pm, carrying a specially commissioned Railway 200 headboard and whistling loudly, as depicted on our cover.

It was the second day of the SVR’s Winter Steam Gala, as featured on pages 42-45 which meant the whole railway was busy, and operating an intensive timetable.

The HRA coordinated the Railway 200 Get Together event, and its president Lord Faulkner of Worcester joined the crowds to cheer on No. 13268.

“It really was quite something to see so many like-minded people gathered together,” said Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director. “We had representatives from many heritage lines, from all over the country, and we were united in our desire to give a proper heritage welcome to Railway 200.

“There’s a tangible sense of anticipation for the many events that are going to take place to celebrate this momentous year, and the SVR is very excited to be a part of it.”

HRA chief executive Steve Oates said: “Although we all naturally focus on the trains, it’s people that really make heritage railways what they are. So, it’s great that so many heritage railway people braved the awful weather to come together at the SVR.

“The personal stories are also what’s going to make Railway 200 special; it’s not all about the engineering and the ‘firsts’. Railway 200 is about the ways that railways transformed the lives of everyone. From standardised time and commuting to holidays and travelling football fans, it was the railways that made them all possible and much, much more.”

The Railway 200 Get Together event included representatives from the Bala Lake, Bluebell, Chinnor & Princes Risborough, East Lancashire, Ecclesbourne Valley, Gloucestershire Warwickshire, North Yorkshire Moors, Rhyl Miniature, Severn Valley, Talyllyn, Wensleydale Railway and West Somerset railways, the  Moseley Railway Trust, Stanier 8F Society and the Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum.

Signalbox fire halts Swindon & Cricklade services – but not the Whistle-Up!

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway has appealed for donations after a fire scuppered its New Year’s Day plans.

The line was forced to cancel services due to a fire on the line at the Hayes Knoll signalbox on December 28. An investigation into the cause of the fire was underway as we closed for press.

A railway spokesman said: “This cancellation is a significant setback for us, particularly after a busy and successful Christmas season.

“New Year’s Day services are a vital source of income, helping to sustain the railway through the challenging winter months – a task that has only grown harder in recent years.

“Donations to the railway will help us navigate this difficult period and prepare for the year ahead.” Donations may be made at www.paypal.com/GB/fundraiser/charity/3145494

Despite the enforced closure, volunteers still participated in the Railway 200 Whistle-Up on January 1 with three of the line’s diesel shunters sounding their horns.

Missed out on the Whistle-Up, a unique celebration in the history of our railways? Visit Heritage Railway’s special web page to experience the thrill of the action at noon on January 1.