- Rhaglen blwyddyn o hyd wedi’i chadarnhau gan y diwydiant rheilffyrdd i ddathlu 200 mlynedd o deithio ar drên yn 2025
- Cyfle unwaith mewn cenhedlaeth i ysbrydoli pobl ifanc am y rheilffyrdd
Ar 27 Medi 1825, roedd trên teithwyr cyntaf y byd, a gafodd ei gludo gan Locomotion No.1 George Stephenson yn cludo dros 400 o bobl ar hyd Rheilffordd Stockton a Darlington. Denodd y digwyddiad nodedig dorfeydd o hyd at 40,000 o bobl, gan nodi genedigaeth y rheilffordd fodern.
Now, with two years to go until the anniversary, the rail industry has confirmed it will mark the bicentenary, and the far-reaching impacts of all railways and train travel, with a year-long programme called Rheilffordd 200.
Mae logo ar gyfer y dathliadau hefyd wedi cael ei ddadorchuddio ynghyd â gwefan. Mae dyluniad y logo yn symbol o’r syniad bod rheilffordd yn llinell barhaus sy’n cysylltu’r wlad – y ffabrig sy’n cael ei weu drwy gydol ein hanes, gan gysylltu bywydau, cymunedau, a diwylliannau tra’n arwain y ffordd tuag at y dyfodol.
Developed by a cross industry partnership, with a focus on inspiring the next generation, Rheilffordd 200 will be a national public engagement programme starting in January 2025. A wide variety of activities, initiatives and partnerships are being considered, including commemorative products. This will enable Rheilffordd 200 to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, recognise its importance today, and look forward to its future.
Operational plans are also underway for an exhibition train which will travel around the rail network and take Rheilffordd 200 to people across the length and breadth of Great Britain. Developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum and Porterbrook, this train will consist of different exhibitions and interactive elements aimed at young people and their families and will help to raise awareness of the anniversary and the opportunities presented by careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Rheilffordd 200 is more than just a celebration of the past. It will leave a genuine legacy beyond 2025 by supporting and enhancing the industry’s efforts to close the skills gap by offering more opportunities for young people to learn about the wide variety of careers the industry has to offer.
Rheilffordd 200 partners reflect the diverse nature of the programme including: Network Rail, Stockton & Darlington Bicentenary Festival, Great British Railways Transition Team, National Skills Academy for Rail, the Rail Delivery Group, Rail Forum, HS2 Ltd, the Railway Industry Association, the Heritage Railway Association, the National Railway Museum, and the Community Rail Network. Rheilffordd 200 is also working with partners from outside the industry to highlight the influence the railway has had on culture art and society.
Organisations across the country are already planning their own exciting events and Rheilffordd 200 invites the rail industry, its partners and custodians of our railway heritage, art and artefacts to consider how they can play their part. Whether it be opening facilities to the public, or school and community outreach sessions inspiring all ages to consider a career in rail. The Rheilffordd 200 team has committed to supporting local and regional activity by providing toolkits, a strong national brand, website, and a far-reaching social media presence. Corporate partnership packages and sponsorship opportunities will also be available for those who want to take advantage of being closely associated with the once in a generation national programme.
Dywedodd Peter, yr Arglwydd Hendy o Richmond Hill, Cadeirydd Railway 200 a Network Rail: “Newidiodd y byd am byth yn 1825 ac mae 200 mlynedd ers y daith gyntaf hon ar drên i deithwyr yn gyfle hanesyddol i ailosod perthynas y cyhoedd â’r rheilffyrdd. Dyma ein cyfle i gyflwyno’r rheilffordd fel diwydiant blaengar, digidol ac fel gyrfa ddeniadol i bobl ifanc ac i bobl o lawer o gefndiroedd gwahanol.
For Rheilffordd 200 to reach its full potential, we must harness the knowledge and efforts of the whole industry, so I hope you will join us in creating a programme of celebrations which will recognise this great British achievement, the first public passenger train in the world, while inspiring a new generation to take our innovative railway far into the future.”
Dywedodd Darren Caplan, Prif Weithredwr, Cymdeithas y Diwydiant Rheilffyrdd: “Mae’n anodd gorbwysleisio’r manteision y mae’r rheilffordd wedi’u cyflwyno, ac sy’n parhau i’w cynnig, nid yn unig i’r DU, ond hefyd yn fyd-eang, ers 1825. Nid yn unig y mae rhwydweithiau rheilffyrdd yn cadw pobl mewn cysylltiad, maent hefyd yn chwarae rhan hanfodol wrth sbarduno’r economi. twf, creu swyddi, hybu cynaliadwyedd, a dod â chymunedau lleol at ei gilydd.”
Dywedodd Jacqueline Starr, Prif Weithredwr Rail Delivery Group: “The world’s first passenger train changed transport forever, and the anniversary of that journey is a chance for the rail industry to celebrate our history and look to the future. Rheilffordd 200 is a chance to show the world that the innovative spirit of 1825 is still very much alive today, with a programme of activities that draws upon the creativity and talent that exists across the railway.”
Jools Townsend Prif Swyddog Gweithredol, Rhwydwaith Rheilffyrdd Cymunedol dywedodd: “As we move into the next 200 years, our railways need to play a growing role in tackling the climate crisis and enabling sustainable and inclusive economic development. Working in partnership with local communities is fundamental to this. We’re looking forward to celebrating the inspiring work taking place across Britain’s thriving community rail movement as part of Rheilffordd 200.”
Dywedodd Neil Robertson, yr Academi Sgiliau Genedlaethol (Rheilffyrdd): “Not only will Rheilffordd 200 showcase how the railway has played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history and development over the last two centuries, it will leave a lasting legacy, helping to inspire a new generation of young people to choose the railway as their career choice. NSAR is proud to be associated with Rheilffordd 200.”
Dywedodd Judith McNicol, Cyfarwyddwr yr Amgueddfa Reilffordd Genedlaethol: “Mae daucanmlwyddiant Rheilffordd Stockton a Darlington yn ben-blwydd rheilffordd allweddol o bwysigrwydd rhyngwladol gwirioneddol. Mae’n arwyddocaol ddwywaith i’r Amgueddfa Reilffordd Genedlaethol, gan fod y dyddiad hefyd yn nodi ein penblwydd yn 50 oed. Trwy galendr o ddigwyddiadau, rhaglennu ac arddangosiadau, byddwn yn helpu ymwelwyr â Locomotion yn Shildon a’r Amgueddfa Reilffordd Genedlaethol yn Efrog i rannu yn nathliadau canmlwyddiant cyffrous.”
Dywedodd Elaine Clark, Prif Swyddog Gweithredol y Fforwm Rheilffyrdd: “Rheilffordd 200 provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that the railway has done over the last 200 years, from supporting industrial development and economic growth to encouraging social mobility and connecting communities. But even more importantly, it presents a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of rail for our future; providing sustainable movement of people and goods and acting as a catalyst for inspiring the next generation of rail professionals.”
Rheilffordd 200 has also partnered with Stockton & Darlington Bicentenary Festival (S&DR200) who are delivering a 9-month international festival developed right in the heart of where the first journey took place. Stockton on Tees, Darlington & Durham County Councils are planning some never to be forgotten moments that should help to excite people in the local area and beyond. Further information on local celebrations can be found at www.sdr200.co.uk.