Railway 200

[Atlantic Coast Express]

We're part of the team involving Network Rail (Lord Peter Hendy chair) and the Rail Delivery Group looking at a whole series of marketing led ideas for the major Railway 200 https://railway200.co.uk initiative which is planned as a national celebration for 2025.

It is recognised that the model railway industry and the hobby enthusiast sector should be brought into this conversation. There are four main strands to Railway 200 with an overarching remit to influence young peoples’ awareness - specifically 8 to 18 year olds - in order to attract a new generation of the digitally savvy to consider a career within a multi-faceted railway industry. Model railways are always considered as one of the key touch points that attract and engage a younger demographic.

This strand has been developed to elicit hobbyist views on how this might be best achieved? Would very much welcome RM web participants' views (and RM editorial) on this subject? There are already a number of ideas involving model railways that have been presented to UK television and audio commissioning editors.    

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

What I found interesting as a teen concerning the development of the railway, was the progressive advances obtained by integrating numerous technical inventions and business practises. While this is common to all industry and business, the railway is more easily visible and accessible than most. The underlying message of continuing change as essential to progress was valuable throughout my career.