All Aboard for an Unforgettable Ride Through History and into the Future!

Saturday 13 September 2025, 5pm – 7pm.

All Aboard for an Unforgettable Ride Through History and into the Future!

Victoria Gallery and Museum, Ashton St, Liverpool., L69 3DR.

FREE: Book your tickets in advance to make sure you’re on the journey!

Embark on a compelling journey as we commence the countdown to the bicentenary of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway (1829–1830) — the world’s first inter-city passenger line and a landmark in global transport history.

It brings together scholars, heritage professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to reflect on the railway’s transformative legacy and to consider the future of rail in the UK and beyond.

Through expert presentations and a panel discussion chaired by Professor Ian Wray (Heseltine Institute), the event will explore key themes including decarbonisation, historic and digital innovation, regional equity, and workforce development. Guest speakers will include senior representatives from the Department for Transport and leading academic experts from the University of Liverpool, alongside other distinguished contributors.

You will be invited to imagine how the pioneering spirit of the 1830s might shape transport policy in the decades to come. Blending academic rigour with public engagement, this promises to be an enlightening and enjoyable contribution to the science festival programme.