50 railways and nearly 200 trains across the world and in Darlington, wider County Durham and Yorkshire, will sound their whistles at midday on January 1, marking the start of what will be a bumper year of celebrations. Spearheaded by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA), 'The Railway 200 Whistle-Up' is just day one of a number of events commemorating the launch of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1825. Railways in other countries, including Holland, South Africa and Sierra Leone, will also be taking part, some with British-built locos.
Steve Oates, chief executive of the Heritage Railway Association, said: "The railways made so much of the world we now live in possible. "From package holidays to commuting and even the concept of standardised time, it was the coming of the railways that kickstarted it all and transformed communities across the globe. "It’s important that we don’t let the landmark 200th anniversary go without a sizeable celebration.
" The whistle-up is a great chance for everyone involved in railways, big and small across the world, to join in the celebrations and see in 2025 in style by reviving a tradition from the age of steam. "And, unlike in decades past, we’ll be able to join it all up thanks to the power of social media by using #WhistleUp200." Here's where the whistle-up will take place in the North East and Yorkshire: Rail Minister Lord Hendy added: "The world changed forever in 1825 with the birth of the modern railway in Britain,.
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