Penistone Line Partnership (PLP), South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), and Artworks SY are proud to announce the launch of a new collaborative project celebrating Railway 200. The Railway 200 Exhibition at Sheffield Station, along with a Poster Art Trail across all 17 stations on the Penistone Line. This vibrant, rail-themed exhibition showcases the creativity of Artworks SY participants—talented artists with learning disabilities and autism—who have worked over 10 weeks to produce a stunning collection of railway-inspired pieces. Their work includes a series of unique poster artworks installed at every platform along the Penistone Line, from Huddersfield to Sheffield via Barnsley, and a dedicated exhibition on the display panels adjacent to Platform 1 at Sheffield Station.
Artworks SY, the station adopters at Sheffield, work to create inclusive opportunities in the arts, ensuring everyone can participate fully in arts and culture.

The exhibition and poster art trail along the Penistone Line runs from 9 April to 7 July 2025.

The project was initiated and developed by Sarah Wells, Community Rail Officer for Penistone Line Partnership, to strengthen ties with the Sheffield station adopters who have 3 creative sites in Sheffield and recently expanded to Barnsley – another key stop on the Penistone Line. Also, to promote Railway 200 to station users in a high footfall area of Sheffield station.

Station users passing by can scan the Railway 200 QR code for information on the year-long celebration and details of Inspiration the Bi-Centenary Exhibition Train, which will travel nationwide over 12 months from June 2025.

As part of the creative process, participants took a rail journey to the Danum Museum in Doncaster to explore its railway collection. Inspired by the experience and by their observations of railway signage, pattern, infrastructure, and landscapes, they produced work that celebrates the heritage and their own experiences of rail.

Cathrine Ashworth, Community Rail Officer for SYMCA, co-led the project and supported the production of a special series of limited-edition postcards featuring artwork from the Poster Trail. These will be available at outdoor events throughout the summer, where PLP will be showcasing Community Rail.

The initiative was made possible thanks to funding from Cross Country and East Midlands Railway, with additional support from Northern, who provided rail travel for the group’s research trip and for participants to see their work on display along the line.
Special thanks go to the Artworks SY team for leading the workshops and installing the exhibition at Sheffield Station, and to the PLP volunteers who installed 35 individual poster artworks across the line, bringing Railway 200 to life for passengers in Kirklees, Barnsley, and Sheffield.

Sam Devito of Artworks SY commented:
“This project has given our artists a real sense of pride. Not only have they created beautiful, thoughtful art, but they’ve also gained confidence in using the railway and experience of the wider community.”
Looking ahead, Sarah Wells is exploring ways to turn some of the artwork into permanent installations along the Penistone Line—creating a legacy for the project and its artists.

With thanks to our project funders