The Bluebell Railway will host a three-month event during the summer of 2025 to mark Railway 200, showcasing the unique capabilities of the railway.

Sheffield Park will host Rail Past – a celebration of Britain’s railway history, while Horsted Keynes, the largest preserved railway station in the country, will showcase Rail Present and Future – an exciting exploration of rail since 1960 with a focus on the future of guided transport systems. A steam-hauled shuttle service will link the two sites.

Our event is centred around five key themes: Celebration of the past, Excitement about the future, STEM Education, Rail Safety, and Careers in Rail. We’ll be welcoming partners from across the rail industry to the Bluebell Railway for this unique event.

The Education Phase
This phase will run from 2nd June to 2nd July. Mondays to Wednesdays will be dedicated to school and college visits, where students will explore Rail Past at Sheffield Park and Rail Present and Future at Horsted Keynes. The railway will remain open to the public as usual between Thursday and Sunday, with a chance to preview some of the Railway 200 exhibits.

At Rail Past, young people will have the chance to see and ride behind a steam engine, view historic steam locomotives, learn about the physics and engineering that make it all possible, and appreciate the vital role of the railway network in shaping modern Britain.

Rail Present and Future will educate and inspire visitors about today’s railway, including high-speed rail, mass transit systems, rail freight, and the role rail will play in achieving net zero. On school visit days, there will be a careers event and additional STEM activities, with rail safety featured throughout the summer.

The Celebration Phase
This phase will run from late July until early September, culminating in our Diesel Gala. Railway 200 @ Bluebell Railway will be a must-visit event in South-East England, whether you're a rail enthusiast, a family, or just a casual visitor. In addition to the core exhibitions and attractions at Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, we’ll be hosting an exciting series of special events – sign up for our newsletter to stay updated.

Rail attractions will include our popular train driving experiences, brake van rides, presentations, high tea in our 1950s first-class dining train, and fabulous silver-service fine dining – with an optional murder mystery experience – aboard our stunning 1920s Pullman train.

Ever thought about becoming a volunteer at the Bluebell Railway? We’ll be highlighting the exciting opportunities available throughout the event.