The Royal Mint launches commemorative coin as part of year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

The coin is part of The Royal Mint's annual set of five coins, celebrating national milestones and anniversaries throughout 2025.

The Royal Mint has unveiled a new 50p coin to mark the bicentenary of the modern railway.

It will form part of a set of five coins being released throughout 2025 by The Royal Mint, celebrating national milestones and anniversaries.

The coins will be available to collect individually later this year.

The launch of the commemorative coin comes at the start of a year-long celebration planned for the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

The bicentenary celebration kicked off with a global 'Whistle-Up' on Wednesday, January 1, where 200 locomotives blew their whistles and horns across the UK, and as far away as New Zealand, Australia, South America, the USA, South Africa, and Sierra Leone, spanning five continents.

The launch of the commemorative coin is part of the year-long programme called Railway 200, which will explore the railway's role in shaping national life.

Emma Robertson, programme manager for Railway 200, a cross-sector, partner-led campaign, said: "Coming down the tracks this year is a bumper programme of exciting initiatives and shared storytelling for everyone to get involved with and enjoy.

"Railway 200 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the railway, its people and communities to shout long, loud and proud about rail's many achievements and plans for a more sustainable future.

"It will cover the past, present and future of the railway.

"As well as showcasing rail's pioneering pedigree, it will excite and invite more people to consider a career in the railway."

More than 100 activities and events have been planned across the UK, including train naming ceremonies, public talks, heritage trails and open days.

Other highlights include an anniversary-related 'mega rail sale', offering discounted tickets for days out, the launch of a Railway 200 merchandise range early this year, developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum (NRM), and a nine-month international festival across Durham and Tees Valley, from March to November.

A four-carriage touring exhibition train called 'Inspiration', curated by the NRM, will crisscross the UK for a year from this summer, promoting rail innovation and careers.

There will also be a summer festival, at the Locomotion museum in Shildon, on the route of the original Stockton & Darlington Railways, as well as commemorative events at the National Trust cottage in Wylam, Northumberland, where rail pioneer George Stephenson was born and Stephenson College, Durham University, where he is honoured.

A 'Railway 200' badge for Scouts and Guides across the world will also be released, devised by Girlguiding North East

The programme aims to raise £200,000 for a charity partnership of Alzheimer's Research UK, Railway Children, Transport Benevolent Fund, Rail Benefit Fund and the Railway Mission, who will be working together to 'protect rail memories for the future.'

For more information and to get involved, share a story and download a toolkit of materials and messages visit the Railway 200 website.