THE national Railway 200 celebrations are being marked in Wellington Museum with a special exhibition this month.

The celebration commemorates the birth of the modern railway, when the Stockton to Darlington Railway was opened in September, 1825.

It saw the world’s first passenger railway journey behind a steam engine.

Volunteers with the museum, in Fore Street, which is run by Wellington Local History and Museum Society, have put together a window display featuring many railway artefacts.

It includes a model steam engine and signalling and also features the Great Western Railway’s City of Truro steam locomotive which on May 9, 1904, is said to have become the first to travel at 100 mph.

City of Truro was timed at a speed of 102.3 mph while descending from the Whiteball Tunnel toward Wellington.

But it was an unofficial timing and not recognised in the record books, which record the Flying Scotsman as achieving it 30 years later.

The City of Truro locomotive is now preserved at the Railway Museum, in Swindon.

A Wellington Museum spokesman said: “Why not come along and visit the museum and see these items and the many other items on display relating to Wellington’s history.

“Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

“The museum also now has an exciting new range of merchandise for all ages for you to buy as a souvenir of your visit.”

The museum’s 2025 season started in April and it is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and until 1 pm on Saturdays, and it stays open until December with opening times being reduced through the autumn.

Last year, the museum saw about 2,500 visitors and it also held interactive workshops for local school groups.

More details about the museum are available on its website.