This section will cover the latest updates and news about the Society activities, as well as information on the 200th Aniversary of the Rainhill Trials in 2029 and opening of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway in 2030. So watch this space!
May 2026
New Website for the Rainhill Trials / Liverpool & Manchester Railway 200th Anniversary celebrations - 2029 / 2030
New Website for the Rainhill Trials / Liverpool & Manchester Railway 200th Anniversary celebrations - 2029 / 2030
With the 200th Anniversaries of the Rainhill Trials and the Liverpool & Manchester Railway on the horizon in 2029 and 2030 respectively, plans are being progressed slowly at the moment to celebrate both anniversaries, not just locally but also at national level too.
The umbrella organisation for the 200th anniversaries is called 'Rocket All Aboard' who are co-ordinating, planning and bringing on board various bodies including local, regional and national organisations whether voluntary or otherwise. Currently, on the face of it, nothing seems to be happening but it is early days and things are definitely going on, it just takes time and lots of patience.
An important step took place in early May 2026 with the launch of the 'Rocket All Aboard' website which will include plans, proposed events, historic content etc which will provide the general public with current and updated information in the lead up to the 200th Anniversary celebrations. Please see: https://rocketallaboard.co.uk/
Currenty, the website is in it's early stages and more information / historic content / images will be added in due course (it does take time) but as time goes by it will be the place to visit for information on the Rainhill Trials and the Liverpool & Manchester Railway 200th Anniversaries so please save the link above in your favourites.
The umbrella organisation for the 200th anniversaries is called 'Rocket All Aboard' who are co-ordinating, planning and bringing on board various bodies including local, regional and national organisations whether voluntary or otherwise. Currently, on the face of it, nothing seems to be happening but it is early days and things are definitely going on, it just takes time and lots of patience.
An important step took place in early May 2026 with the launch of the 'Rocket All Aboard' website which will include plans, proposed events, historic content etc which will provide the general public with current and updated information in the lead up to the 200th Anniversary celebrations. Please see: https://rocketallaboard.co.uk/
Currenty, the website is in it's early stages and more information / historic content / images will be added in due course (it does take time) but as time goes by it will be the place to visit for information on the Rainhill Trials and the Liverpool & Manchester Railway 200th Anniversaries so please save the link above in your favourites.
June 2025 - Michael Portillo visits Rainhill Station.
On the morning of Friday, 13 June 2025, Michael Portillo visited Rainhill Station (again) in connection with his 'Great British Railway Journeys' TV series were he will be talking about The Raihill Trials of 1829. As part of the visit, he was seeking background information on the Trials which was provided by our Chairperson, Rhian Wood and Vice Chairperon, Dave Wood which will be aired in one of the episodes scheduled in the early Autumn. Above: Dave, Michael and Rhian on the station.
Update - The TV programmmes are schedule on the following dates:
Tuesday 16th September BBC Two 20:00hrs.
'The Day that Changed the World'
Tuesday 23rd September BBC Two 20:00hrs.
'How the Railways Changed Britain'
Update - The TV programmmes are schedule on the following dates:
Tuesday 16th September BBC Two 20:00hrs.
'The Day that Changed the World'
Tuesday 23rd September BBC Two 20:00hrs.
'How the Railways Changed Britain'
February 2025 - Visit to Locomotive Services Ltd, Crewe Depot.
A group image taken on the Societies private visit to Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL), Crewe Depot on 20 February 2025. During the two hour visit, we were taken on a very informative tour of the site, seen many working locomotives, as well as those being repaired or being restored, along with the various onsite facilities too. We offer our thanks to our guide and to LSL for allowing the private visit. Image posted with kind permission of LSL.
February 2025 - New Childrens Book on the Rainhill Trials.
R.R.H.S. Vice Chairman, Dave Wood (left) and Chairperson Rhian Wood (2nd left) were present with members from Rainhill Civic and Rainhill Parish Council at Rainhill Hall for the launch of a new childrens book entitled 'Wrong Tracks' by Susan Brownrigg (centre). Susan has written a book about a young man called Edward claims to have driven the worlds famous Rocket locomotive during the famous The Rainhill Trials. This wonderful book has been written and aimed for children at 8+years (Key Stage 2) and with Rhian and Dave honoured to be asked about the trials by Susan and then to proof read the book before it was published.
