Exhibitors

In 2025 the rail industry collaborated with heritage, tourism, community and cultural sections to commemorate 200 years of the modern railway.  

Called Railway 200, the programme honoured rail’s historic legacy, celebrated the contribution of railway workers, built excitement for the industry’s future and inspired the next generation of rail professionals.

The year began with a ‘Whistle Up’ - 200 locomotives across five continents took part. Successes include:

• 1.4m people visited and engaged with Railway 200 related events
• 100,000 young people engaged with careers and STEM based events
• 5 new TV documentaries
• The world’s biggest rail festival in Derby
• A year-long festival in the North East
• 7 family friendly open days 
• 300 Community Rail events 

The centre piece of the anniversary was Inspiration, the  interactive multimedia exhibition train. It's become the industry’s biggest ever early years intervention and has brought communities and the railway together to  inspire the next generation.