As the rail industry unites under the banner of ‘Railway 200’, to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway, HS2 and the Railway 200 team are calling on those with a connection to Birmingham to get involved.
Nationwide celebrations are taking place to recognise the achievements of George Stephenson, who pioneered the first public railway linking Stockton and Darlington in 1825. Throughout the year, industry events are being held to recognise the role the railways have played in shaping Britain’s past, present and future.
The opening of Curzon Street Station in 1838 was a pivotal moment in Birmingham’s rail history, as it was the first passenger railway station linking Birmingham to London. Fast forward to today, and the historical landmark still acts as a marker for millions of rail passengers arriving into the city.
187 years later, the area surrounding Old Curzon Street Station is now almost unrecognisable. The construction of HS2’s Curzon Street Station is breathing a new lease of life into the city, with mass investment and urban regeneration quickly changing the landscape of neighbouring Eastside and Digbeth.
Plans for the city’s new high speed station are beginning to take shape and have been carefully designed to wrap around the historic station of yesteryear. This marriage of the old and new will be central to HS2’s plans as part of the national Railway 200 campaign.
Later this year, a time capsule will be buried beneath the public realm that will surround the new Birmingham Curzon Street Station. Continuing the ‘200’ theme, HS2 and the Railway 200 team would like to capture 200 unique stories from people connected to the city, recalling their fond memories of Birmingham, a railway-related tale, or their aspirations for the city’s future.
A selection of the public’s most interesting and engaging stories will accompany contributions from local figureheads and celebrities, creating an historical record of what life is like in Birmingham. The capsule will then be sealed and carefully lowered into the ground between the old and new railway stations.
HS2 will also be exhibiting at other national Railway 200 events throughout the year, including Alstom’s Great Gathering, a three-day festival that will feature more than 50 iconic vehicles from the past, present and future of the railways.
Huw Edwards, HS2’s Stations Delivery Director said:
“Curzon Street is the perfect location to honour the city’s railway heritage and look ahead to its exciting future, and I really hope that those with a connection to the city will seize the opportunity to play a part in this unique celebration as part of the national Railway 200 campaign.
“We have the privileged position of preserving Old Curzon Street Station, while at the same time constructing the city’s new terminus station. When passengers board a high speed train in the future, it really will be a moment to behold to see how the railways have advanced.”
Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for the cross-sector, Government-backed Railway 200 campaign, said:
“It’s wonderful to see how, during this bicentenary year, the past is being preserved, the present is being captured and the future of rail is being built at the new Birmingham Curzon Street Station.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for people living in and around Birmingham: those who are lucky enough to contribute to HS2’s time capsule will share their stories with generations to come.
“Whether or not you’re one of the lucky few to have their stories sealed in the capsule, the Railway 200 campaign would love to record and share your story of connection to the railway for our Great Rail Tales Podcast. Please visit railway200.co.uk to find out more.”
To contribute a story outlining your connection to Birmingham, or your favourite railway tale, simply complete the online form, or visit the HS2 website for more information.
