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What’s going on in the pensions world?

Keep up to date with the latest pensions news and developments in the Scheme.

From its origins in Darlington - home to the world’s first public railway, your pension administrator, Railpen, has evolved to serve the needs of the industry and the financial future of its workers - from their first day on the job, throughout their working lives and into retirement. We've continued supporting this with two local bicentennial events in 2025...

Shildon’s Tea Dance

Shildon Railway Institute united historical tradition with modern festivity, in May 2025.

Since the 1840s, Tea Dances have been a cherished way for Shildon residents to mark significant railway milestones. The earliest Tea Dances were led by railway pioneer and SRI president Timothy Hackworth, who founded a unique institution to support railway families, acquiring a building with a small library and games room that rail workers and their families could enjoy.

Dancing became one of their favourite pastimes, and a rich part of Shildon Railway Institute’s history that continues to this day. SRI’s Modern Sequence Dance Club, established in 1951, continues to be well attended on Tuesday evenings, and marked its 70th anniversary in 2021.

May’s event, supported by Railpen, was a chance for retired rail workers to dance, reminisce and connect with historic and current traditions, while also celebrating 200 years of rail.

“There are many in the town, and further afield, who either spent their lives in the service of British Rail, or whose partners did. We want these people to be at the heart of this celebration” - Shildon Railway Institute.

Golden Ticket Initiative

This summer, Railpen played a leading role in Darlington’s Golden Ticket Initiative, a scheme to give every primary school-aged child in the town free access to Wagon Woods - the railway-themed adventure play park at  Hopetown, Darlington.

Launched by Lola McEvoy MP, the initiative aimed for no child to miss out on Darlington’s rich railway history or enjoying fun, healthy play because of cost barriers. With an estimated 8,700 local children eligible, the Golden Ticket initiative unlocked new experiences for thousands of families, helping to instil pride in their town’s heritage and foster stronger community connections.

It showed how corporate support can create value in local communities, and how Railpen continues to invest not just in financial returns for our members’ future, but in the people and places at the heart of our story.

Hopetown Darlington showcases over 30,000 artefacts celebrating the area’s world-leading railway story, from the pioneering days of the 1820s through to the late 20th century.

Railpen was the primary donor, ensuring the scheme could move forward to honour our social responsibility, heritage as stewards of the railways’ pension funds and to give back to our local community in Darlington.

You can watch a short video of the Golden Ticket launch here.

Railpen launched #BeyondTheTracks200 on 16 September

#BeyondTheTracks200 celebrates this important milestone by shining a light on the many ways that rail workers and employers have come together as a community to support each other over the last 2 centuries.

It also looks at how people across the railways are working to deliver a sustainable, inclusive future for everyone, by:

Securing financial futures: rail employers were among the first to introduce workplace pensions, pioneering what is now an important pillar of social infrastructure for working people across all UK industries. Today, these pensions are invested across the UK, growing the economy, improving communities and delivering long-term value for members.

Investing in workers’ homes, health and wellbeing: the railway has a long history of working to support rail workers through hard times, providing respite, social housing and care. Today, these important programmes are delivered by dedicated societies, sports clubs, charities and volunteers from across the rail community, providing a lifeline for people across the UK.

Unlocking opportunities for everyone: the railways have made it easier for people of all walks of life to connect with places and ideas by making travel more affordable and accessible. Today, rail leaders remain committed to building a more sustainable future, investing in skills, education and employment across the country.

Advocating for workers’ rights: leading the way on issues like safer working conditions and fair pay, rail’s trade unions continue to play a crucial role in securing more rights and opportunities for all UK workers.

We’ve teamed up with social innovators across the rail industry for #BeyondTheTracks200, including:

• Railway Benefit Fund
• Railway Children
• Railway Housing Association
• Railway Mission

Find out more by visiting beyondthetracks200.co.uk. If you or your organisation is part of the railway’s story of social innovation, we want to hear from you! You can share your stories about life in rail on social media using the hashtag #beyondthetracks200.