On Sunday 13 July 2025, the Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership joined forces with the East Anglian Railway Museum and Greater Anglia, to mark 200 years of passenger railways—a milestone that began with the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825.
Held at Chappel & Wakes Colne station, the event welcomed hundreds of visitors and featured a vibrant mix of heritage, education and fun. Guests enjoyed unlimited rides on vintage steam and diesel trains, as well as free vintage bus trips to Bures aboard beautifully preserved vehicles like the Leyland Olympian and Bristol K type.
Attendees learnt about railway history through talks led by experts and admired railway-themed artwork. The day also included trade stalls, model railway displays by the Braintree and Halstead Model Railway Club, and access to restoration sheds and the miniature railway.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Exhibition Hall featured notable figures from industry and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex. Their speeches celebrated not just the past, but the future of rail travel and its ever-important role in connecting communities.
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