Railway Mission is celebrating 200 years of the rail industry with its new 2025 calendar, to be released in October.
The Christian faith-based charity has teamed up with Railway 200 for the calendar which will feature pictures of trains in locations across the UK, alongside inspiration and supportive biblical quotes.
Railway 200 was launched last month and will be a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern railway which began with the opening of the Stockton to Darlington Railway on September 27, 1825.
Starting in January 2025, it is planning activities and events to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today, and its importance to a sustainable future; and to show how the railway, born in Britain, shaped and continues to shape national life.
Liam Johnston, executive director of Railway Mission which is one of the charity partners of Railway 200, whose photographic skills can be found in the calendar including its cover image of a GWR train crossing the viaduct at Calstock over the Tamar Valley, South East Cornwall, said: “The railway was not merely a mode of transportation; it was a catalyst for change, ushering in an age of progress and innovation.
Railway Mission is a national charity which provides a regionally-based chaplaincy service and aims to be an impartial ‘friend’ to all those who work on the railway.
Regardless of faith, gender, sexual orientation or position in the industry, chaplains offer face-to-face year-round support, especially during an individual’s time of loneliness, stress, depression, bereavement or illness.
It offers pastoral care to the entire railway community and to members of the public affected by rail operations.
Like Railway Mission, offering support on life’s journey, the calendar will be available directly from chaplains or online via Railway Mission’s website, in return for a donation to the charity to fund its vital work.
Image credit: Railway Mission
