Railway 200 ‘once in a generation’ opportunity featured in Rail Director

In the feature, Suzanne described Railway 200 as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to shout long, loud and proud about rail’s many achievements and exciting plans for the future.”

Suzanne highlighted rail’s transformative role in shaping society, from boosting economic growth to connecting communities and driving sustainability, comparing its impact to the invention of the internet. Suzanne also stressed the importance of inspiring young people to pursue careers in rail to address skills shortages, while raising public awareness of the vital role rail freight plays in daily life and protecting the environment.

Emma outlined the key events planned for the milestone year, including a nationwide “Whistle-Up” of locomotives on New Year’s Day, a national seat sale, and the “Inspiration” touring exhibition train, designed to showcase innovation and encourage rail careers.

“We want to reach and engage as many people as possible, giving the anniversary real scale, significance and impact,” Emma added.

The article covered the four themes at the heart of the celebrations: education, heritage, innovation, and celebrating rail workers. Both Suzanne and Emma encouraged the industry to embrace the celebrations as a chance to showcase rail’s heritage and future, while reconnecting with the public.