On the 1st January 2025 at 12 noon, whistles across the heritage rail world sounded in celebration of 200 years of train travel.
In 1825, the Stockton and Darlington Railway brought together some new-ish engineering, some novel ideas on funding and some different legal thinking to create something that was far more than the sum of its parts.
With grand plans for railways to link towns and cities, not just mines and rivers. Railway ‘Mania’ was born.
1863 saw the Mayoress, Mrs Sholto Vere Hare lay the first rail for the Bristol Harbour Railway. Originally designed to connect the Floating Harbour to Temple Meads for goods, the line officially opened in 1872. Now, 153 years later the railway is still in use, operated by M Shed’s dedicated volunteer team to provide passenger rides along Bristol’s historic dockside.

With Henbury out on loan and Portbury under overhaul, the honours were done by the trusty compressor with two whistles, the larger of which is from GWR Castle Class No. 7015 Carn Brea Castle.