Free trips for 200th anniversary of modern railway

Free train tickets are being offered to 9,000 schoolchildren and college students to celebrate the 200th anniversary of modern railway.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is offering the tickets to those from Surrey and Greater London to go to East Grinstead to attend a Railway 200 event at The Bluebell Railway.

The school visits will focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) learning with a chance to see historic steam engines in action.

Angie Doll, GTR's CEO, said: "We want to attract a new generation from all backgrounds into an industry with a rich heritage that remains relevant today."

The school visits will take place every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 2 June and 2 July.

There will also be history workshops from industry experts, displays of technology showing the future of rail and educational activities designed by the London Transport Museum.

As part of the 200th anniversary celebrations, events are taking place across the UK as well as in Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Hungary and the Philippines.

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