A unique show written and produced by an Avanti West Coast employee is touring the UK as part of nationwide celebrations to mark 200 years of the modern railway.
Railway 200: A new theatre show tells the story of the nation’s railway – from its beginning in 1825 to the present day.
Geoff Baker, customer service assistant and community champion at Avanti West Coast, who spends his spare time leading a performing group in Manchester, came up with the idea and wrote the production.
The show is part of the intercity operator’s activities to support Railway 200 – a year-long campaign, which began in January 2025, to mark the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.
Performed by a cast of eight, including Geoff and his Avanti colleague, Customer Service Assistant Jeanette Holt, the show is described “as a comical, educational and entertaining look back at the UK’s rail network”.
Audience members are invited to imagine they are on a Pendolino train, as they are taken on a journey through two centuries of railway history – meeting significant figures associated with the industry and reliving key milestones.
The tour of the UK kicked off at Manchester Piccadilly station in March and will visit towns and cities across the UK, including Rugby, Edinburgh and Stockport throughout 2025. It will be staged at stations or places that have a connection to the railway or cultural events – with 19 venues confirmed so far.
Over 30 performances are scheduled to take place for the remainder of the anniversary year with more expected to be added in the coming months.
Reflecting on his involvement to mark the 200th anniversary of the UK’s railway, Geoff said: “Railway 200 brings a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate our proud nation’s railway history, whilst thinking about its future. It’s an absolute pleasure combining my love of travel and the railway with a chance to perform across the country with such a dedicated and talented cast.
“With these shows, we’re hoping to leave a lasting legacy, something our audience reactions so far agree with. We love our railways – may they continue for another 200 years.”
Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re proud of Geoff’s efforts to bring to life 200 years of the modern railway with a unique production.
“Celebrating this milestone with audiences across the UK is a great opportunity to recognise the important role the railway plays in peoples’ lives. We hope the show will encourage people to look back fondly on what has been achieved while engaging a new generation to take an interest in rail, so we can continue to connect people and places for centuries to come.”
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, commented: “This is a brilliant and imaginative contribution to the 200th anniversary celebrations. Congratulations to Geoff for writing it and to Avanti West Coast for supporting the initiative. Railway 200 is all about celebrating the past, present and future of rail, and telling rail’s revolutionary story in new and interesting ways to a diverse range of audiences.”
To find out more about the performances and book free tickets, visit: Gare Du Nord Theatre Group
Image credit: Avanti West Coast
