Translink is marking Railway 200 — the 200th anniversary of the modern railway — with a moving new series of short videos showcasing poems written by passengers, performed on trains and in stations across Northern Ireland.
The videos bring to life poems from Poetry in Motion – A Collection, a special booklet featuring 100 poems published earlier this year. Already shared with more than 7,000 people in print and via digital download, the booklet also includes lesson plans for schools, along with prompts and opportunities to encourage readers of all ages to have a go at writing poetry themselves. Schools across Northern Ireland have been engaging with the booklet, inspiring pupils to write their own poems about journeys, landscapes and connections.
Mark Montgomery, Translink Rail Route Manager Northern Area, said:
“Railways don’t just move people — they connect lives, inspire creativity, and tell stories. Through Poetry in Motion is a fitting way to celebrate 200 years of rail and the role public transport plays in our communities.
“Poetry has brought new life into our stations, from displays at York Street, Belfast Grand Central and the North West Transport Hub, to the way schools throughout the country have engaged with the collection. Entries came from people of all ages across NI, Ireland and the UK, showcasing both the destinations our railways can take you to and the connections they create between us all along the way.”
Mark, who was recently honoured at the National Rail Awards for his Outstanding Personal Contribution to the Railway, has been a leading figure in championing the role of rail in connecting communities across Northern Ireland.
Mrs Galway, Principal, Currie Primary School, said: “Translink’s Poetry in Motion book has been a wonderful resource for our pupils. The engaging colours and layout immediately draw children in, while the prompts give them the confidence to have a go themselves. For teachers, the lesson plans are invaluable in helping us bring poetry alive in the classroom – it’s a book that truly inspires creativity.”
The short videos will be broadcast across Translink’s social media channels during Railway 200 anniversary week, inviting audiences to experience the rhythm and atmosphere of train travel in a fresh way.
The full Poetry in Motion – A Collection booklet can be downloaded here, and the new Railway 200 poetry videos can be viewed via Translink’s social channels #Railway200 or at www.translink.co.uk/railway-