Severn Valley Railway marks the start of Railway 200

Around 100 heritage railway volunteers from across the UK came together at the Severn Valley Railway on Sunday 5 January, to launch Railway 200, a celebration of the 200th anniversary of modern railways.

Representatives from 15 UK heritage lines and locomotive owning groups assembled at the SVR’s Engine House at Highley, to witness the recently overhauled Stanier Mogul No 13268 as it passed shortly before 3pm, carrying a specially commissioned Railway 200 headboard and whistling loudly.

It was the second day of the SVR’s Winter Steam Gala, which meant the whole railway was busy, and operating an intensive timetable.

The Heritage Railway Association coordinated the Railway 200 Get Together event, and HRA president Lord Faulkner of Worcester joined the crowds to cheer on 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.’

Heritage Railway Association 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 Severn Valley Railway. I'd like to thank the team at the Severn Valley for hosting the Get Together at their excellent Winter Gala.

‘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 Bala Lake Railway, Bluebell Railway, Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, East Lancashire Railway, Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, Moseley Railway Trust, North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Rhyl Miniature Railway, Severn Valley Railway, Stanier 8F Society, Talyllyn Railway, Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum, Wensleydale Railway and West Somerset Railway.