Other railway 200 events

[SwindonManor]

I'm sure I'm among the many whom are upset about missing Greatest Gathering. But there are loads of other similar events and behind the scenes tours, all linked on Railway 200s website if you look hard enough.

Railway 200

In 2025 Railway 200 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. Nationwide celebrations are planned.

railway200.co.uk

An excellent one is Ashford that not a lot of people know about - Clan Line will be there as well as a few other trains. You can see the southeastern depot and buy things from the stands present there.
There's also Seaton Tramway Depot tours, which is interesting - and sounds good too.
South Devon Railway are running a heritage weekend.
There's too much to name - again check the website but if you're generally looking for similar events with a BTS aspect don't give up hope. I hope this helps.

 

[50002Superb]

I didn’t know about the Ashford or Norwich open days, they both look good.

I’m waiting for details on the Polmadie day as I need to book travel and hotels but there’s been nothing mentioned since it was first announced some time ago.

 

[Trainlog]

The Ashford one certainly looks interesting, however, I do have my gripes with it.

1.) It's the fact that the tickets to it seem to be sold from Southeastern via Twitter?
2.) All of these events are booked in advance... it's frustrating as all of these events sell out really quickly unless it's a gala where you can turn up on the day.

Which is unfortunate, as I would like to see the return of more rail festivals post Rail200. I really enjoyed Old Oak Common 111 when that was on in 2017. However, because of the significance of the event anything with Rail200 that is good sells out within 20mins of tickets being released.

 

[Ralph Ayres]

The Ashford one certainly looks interesting, however, I do have my gripes with it.

1.) It's the fact that the tickets to it seem to be sold from Southeastern via Twitter?
2.) All of these events are booked in advance... it's frustrating as all of these events sell out really quickly unless it's a gala where you can turn up on the day.

Which is unfortunate, as I would like to see the return of more rail festivals post Rail200. I really enjoyed Old Oak Common 111 when that was on in 2017. However, because of the significance of the event anything with Rail200 that is good sells out within 20mins of tickets being released.

If events are selling out so quickly it means that full capacity has been reached and there is high interest. If they sold some or all tickets on the day you'd either have to turn up at crack of dawn or risk not getting in, neither of which to me is a particularly appealing feature of a walk-up event, which really only works where capacity is (almost) certain to be greater than likely demand. I suppose an early sell-out might lead to an extra day being added. At the very least the organisers, exhibitors, caterers etc know that they have to plan for a capacity crowd rather than being pessimistic and getting overwhelmed on the day.

 

[cduncan]

I'm sure I'm among the many whom are upset about missing Greatest Gathering. But there are loads of other similar events and behind the scenes tours, all linked on Railway 200s website if you look hard enough.

An excellent one is Ashford that not a lot of people know about - Clan Line will be there as well as a few other trains. You can see the southeastern depot and buy things from the stands present there.
There's also Seaton Tramway Depot tours, which is interesting - and sounds good too.
South Devon Railway are running a heritage weekend.
There's too much to name - again check the website but if you're generally looking for similar events with a BTS aspect don't give up hope. I hope this helps.

So there is the opportunity to get into Ashford so will look out when tickets open for that. At first, I heard from some people that it was for Southeastern staff/friends.

 

[Trainlog]

If events are selling out so quickly it means that full capacity has been reached and there is high interest. If they sold some or all tickets on the day you'd either have to turn up at crack of dawn or risk not getting in, neither of which to me is a particularly appealing feature of a walk-up event, which really only works where capacity is (almost) certain to be greater than likely demand. I suppose an early sell-out might lead to an extra day being added. At the very least the organisers, exhibitors, caterers etc know that they have to plan for a capacity crowd rather than being pessimistic and getting overwhelmed on the day.

For sure, its definitely a good thing for the heritage railway sector in that regard, especially for helping to pass steam onto a new generation and to get people to consider a career on the railways by seeing EMU's behind the scenes at the depot.

I still think a majority pre-booking model wouldn't be a bad thing, but having the option of on the day is also helpful for at least some of the tickets. I just don't want everything turning into the 'Oasis tour' and seeing them go within 20 minutes of release.

 

[SwindonManor]

For sure, its definitely a good thing for the heritage railway sector in that regard, especially for helping to pass steam onto a new generation and to get people to consider a career on the railways by seeing EMU's behind the scenes at the depot.

I still think a majority pre-booking model wouldn't be a bad thing, but having the option of on the day is also helpful for at least some of the tickets. I just don't want everything turning into the 'Oasis tour' and seeing them go within 20 minutes of release.

That's my gripe and the geography isn't very well spread either. The bigger events (Polmadie, Derby, Heaton etc.) are all further up country and they sell out like the drop of a hat.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 07:29 ==

I didn’t know about the Ashford or Norwich open days, they both look good.

I’m waiting for details on the Polmadie day as I need to book travel and hotels but there’s been nothing mentioned since it was first announced some time ago.

Norwich you say? I checked that out of interest and there is no info. It just says tickets release soon - link here and it links GAs website but nothing on there mentions the depot tour?

 

[Class15]

That's my gripe and the geography isn't very well spread either. The bigger events (Polmadie, Derby, Heaton etc.) are all further up country and they sell out like the drop of a hat.

That‘s a fair point particularly when you consider how many people live in London compared to Glasgow, Derby and Newcastle! Maybe a Wembley Yard/Depot open day would sell well?

 

[SwindonManor]

That‘s a fair point particularly when you consider how many people live in London compared to Glasgow, Derby and Newcastle! Maybe a Wembley Yard/Depot open day would sell well?

That's a good idea actually! Though, it would sell out in minutes
Just sad because gatherings like this only happen every so often. E.g Railfest York 2012, that's 13 years!

 

[DarloRich]

There is some good stuff going on in Darlington although obviously the celebration there is S&DR 200

I think that a replica locomotion No.1 will be chuffing about on part of the original S&DR route in September. There is also a Titans of Steam event spread between Hopetown & Darlington Loco Works:

https://hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/Titans-of-Steam-Gala

As part of this year’s S&DR200 celebrations, Hopetown Darlington will be front and centre of the festival as the home of the modern railway plays host to a free-to-visit thunderous gathering of iconic steam legends. Standing proudly side by side, each locomotive is a roaring monument to Britain’s engineering might.

From the nimble BR Standard Class 2 78018 to the rugged LNER K1 62005, the line-up is a masterclass in steam power. The elegant LNER P3 2392 (J27 65894) and the stalwart NER T2 2238 (Q6 63395) bring the charm of the North Eastern Railway, while the mighty A1 Class 60163 (Tornado) and the legendary A4 Class 60007 (Sir Nigel Gresley) steal the spotlight with their speed and majesty.

Maybe a Wembley Yard/Depot open day

that would be nice but I do not think practical - Wembley is a central "node" on the freight network and is in use 24/7. It borders open railways on all sides.

it is also not fantastically easy to get to on foot

Just sad because gatherings like this only happen every so often. E.g Railfest York 2012, that's 13 years!

As always with these things you have to commit time, money and effort if you are able to attend. Sadly I didn't organise myself and have missed out on the Hitachi open day at Newton Aycliffe

The link you quoted at the top of the page is really good as it shows everything arranged to date.

 

[50002Superb]

That's my gripe and the geography isn't very well spread either. The bigger events (Polmadie, Derby, Heaton etc.) are all further up country and they sell out like the drop of a hat.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 07:29 ==


Norwich you say? I checked that out of interest and there is no info. It just says tickets release soon - link here and it links GAs website but nothing on there mentions the depot tour?

Yeah there’s a few that you’ll just have to be patient for by the looks of it.

Polmadie is the same. It was announced quite some time ago but the link just takes you to the Alstom website

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 11:25 ==

That‘s a fair point particularly when you consider how many people live in London compared to Glasgow, Derby and Newcastle! Maybe a Wembley Yard/Depot open day would sell well?

87% of the UK population live outside London and most major things, especially sporting events, in the UK occur inside the M25.

These events make the railways more accessible to everyone.

There is also the Margate event in the South East.

 

[Class15]

87% of the UK population live outside London and most major things, especially sporting events, in the UK occur inside the M25.

These events make the railways more accessible to everyone.

There is also the Margate event in the South East.

But surely London has more people than say, Derby, and has direct trains from/to more different places? Like East Anglia and Wales, who have direct trains to London but not Derby.

Sporting events are held in London because the most fans are there compared to any other city. Those 87% are spread right across the country. Having an event serving 13% of the population (London) is surely better than having an event serving whatever tiny percentage of the population lives in Derby.

I think the more likely reason for lack of events in London is the lack of spare capacity for anything. Old Oak Common (where an event was held in 2017) is no longer in existence.

 

[50002Superb]

There is a direct train from Cardiff to Derby and a direct train from Norwich to Nottingham.

 

[Class15]

There is a direct train from Cardiff to Derby

Forgot about that! It seems to be under 2 hours to London (train every half-hour) and every hour to Derby (train every hour and doesn’t seem to be very reliable).

and a direct train from Norwich to Nottingham.

Nottingham isn’t Derby, so we’re going to need another train here. Seems to take almost 4 hours from Norwich to Derby including the second train, compared to 105 mins to London.

 

[50002Superb]

Forgot about that! It seems to be under 2 hours to London (train every half-hour) and every hour to Derby (train every hour and doesn’t seem to be very reliable).

Nottingham isn’t Derby, so we’re going to need another train here. Seems to take almost 4 hours from Norwich to Derby including the second train, compared to 105 mins to London.

You’re going to need another train in London, possibly two in some instances, if they were to hold an event at somewhere like Wembley or the North Pole or Stewarts Lane.

The point surely shouldn’t be criticising the events that are happening?

 

[theblackwatch]

It's probably worth mentioning on this thread that extra tickets for the Greatest Gathering went on sale this morning and they are (as I type this) still available for the Friday and Sunday. There are also charters to the event where you can book on the tour and obtain an entry ticket as well as coach companies doing day trips and weekend breaks including entry - so if you think you've mess out, you don't need to!

 

[Forty29]

The official Rail/200 website lists 358 different events so best to pick and choose now if tickets are selling fast.

 

[SwindonManor]

Yeah there’s a few that you’ll just have to be patient for by the looks of it.

Polmadie is the same. It was announced quite some time ago but the link just takes you to the Alstom website

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 11:25 ==


87% of the UK population live outside London and most major things, especially sporting events, in the UK occur inside the M25.

These events make the railways more accessible to everyone.

There is also the Margate event in the South East.

That I didn't know about (Margate)
Ah. I checked and it is purely the Inspiration train. That said, it looks fantastic.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 08:44 ==

It's probably worth mentioning on this thread that extra tickets for the Greatest Gathering went on sale this morning and they are (as I type this) still available for the Friday and Sunday. There are also charters to the event where you can book on the tour and obtain an entry ticket as well as coach companies doing day trips and weekend breaks including entry - so if you think you've mess out, you don't need to!

I can't reach Derby in a day without adding accomodation costs ontop ):

 

[50002Superb]

That I didn't know about (Margate)
Ah. I checked and it is purely the Inspiration train. That said, it looks fantastic.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 08:44 ==


I can't reach Derby in a day without adding accomodation costs ontop ):

I was actually referring to the One Collection event:

Hornby Hobbies and One:One Collection confirm summer open weekend

Hornby Hobbies and The One:One Collection have confirmed an open weekend will roll into Margate on 9–10 August. Held in celebration of Railway 200, marking two centuries since the birth of passenge…

theisleofthanetnews.com

 

[SwindonManor]

I was actually referring to the One Collection event:

Hornby Hobbies and One:One Collection confirm summer open weekend

Hornby Hobbies and The One:One Collection have confirmed an open weekend will roll into Margate on 9–10 August. Held in celebration of Railway 200, marking two centuries since the birth of passenge…

theisleofthanetnews.com

Oh! Interesting. Must check that one out aswell - though I think my list is starting to become finalised

 

[Tim M]

One you may have missed, and what an event! Not just celebrating Rail 200, the Ffestiniog Railway is also celebrating its Platinum Jubilee, yes 70 years since reopening in 1955. With an event spread over four days from 19th to 22nd June 2025, there was a great deal of variety on offer. Included were:

• a recreation of the first petrol loco hauled trains of 1955
• a train of fifty heritage waggons to Blaenau Ffestiniog hauled by a double Fairlie - a total of 200 waggon wheels
• the train of waggons split at Dduallt on the return and in time honoured fashion the ‘slates’ made their way down the line by gravity
• There were trains crossing over each other on the Dduallt Spiral, not seen since the 1980’s
• and much, much more

The finale saw the 200 Wheels Cavalcade on the Cob featuring twenty five steam locos, twenty being in steam.

Mear words can’t do this event justice, but this video can and does tell the story of maybe one of the highlights of Rail 200.

 

[Forty29]

Oh! Interesting. Must check that one out aswell - though I think my list is starting to become finalised

Id' save your money on this one. The 'Shed' where the few locos are is a souless place! £25 a pop, but you pay's your money and take's your choice as they say!