- Bicentenary train, Inspiration, to visit 60 locations across Britain over 12 months, promoting rail innovation and careers with interactive displays
- More than 200,000 visitors expected
- Register for updates before bookings open
A new and unique exhibition train is due to open to the public on 27 June at the Severn Valley Railway in Worcestershire, as part of a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway called Railway 200.
The touring train, named Inspiration, is expected to visit 60 locations across Britain over 12 months up to summer 2026, creating a buzz of interest and excitement at mainline stations, heritage railways and rail freight sites. Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, it will be the only exhibition train on the rail network and will promote the past, present and future of the railway, helping to attract the next generation of pioneering talent.
Sporting an eye-catching livery, Inspiration will comprise four smartly reconfigured Mark 3 coaches, procured by Network Rail. The mobile Railway 200 exhibition is designed to inspire schoolchildren and others to consider a career in rail, shining a spotlight on the wide range of roles available, and to create a more diverse workforce.
Rail’s innovation and pioneering pedigree will be explored in a ‘Railway Firsts’ coach, highlighting landmark moments in the development of the railway. Alongside will be a ‘Wonderlab on Wheels’, inviting visitors to test their engineering skills with a range of interactive exhibits. This will adjoin a carriage called ‘Your Railway Future’, showcasing some of the more hidden roles in rail and encouraging people to join the railway to shape the next 200 years. There will also be a ‘Partner Zone’, offering free, flexible exhibition space.
The carriages, which are currently being fitted out, are supported by a £250k grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The train will be operated by GB Railfreight.
More than 200,000 people, including many schoolchildren, are expected to visit by prior booking. Admission to the train will be free, but normal entry charges to heritage railways and private sites where it is located will apply. Register to receive updates about Inspiration. Bookings will open shortly after Easter.
The train’s launch schedule includes a visit to the North East of England in September, rail’s 200th anniversary month, as part of S&DR200, a nine-month international festival inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever.
The initial planned itinerary is:
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 27 June – 6 July 2025 | Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, Worcestershire |
| 8 – 10 July 2025 | Birmingham Moor Street station |
| 12 – 15 July 2025 | London Euston station |
| 18 – 19 July 2025 | London Waterloo station |
| 20 – 21 July 2025 | Margate station, Kent |
| 23 – 29 July 2025 | Bluebell Railway, Sussex |
| 1 – 3 August 2025 | Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site, Derby (for ‘The Greatest Gathering’) |
| 7 – 10 August 2025 | Norwich station, Norfolk |
| 11 – 14 August 2025 | Lowestoft station, Suffolk |
| 16 – 17 August 2025 | Freightliner Doncaster Railport, South Yorkshire |
| 23 – 31 August 2025 | National Railway Museum, York |
| 10 – 17 September 2025 | Darlington station, County Durham |
| 20 September – 1 October 2025 | Locomotion Museum, Shildon, County Durham |
Further details will be announced as local arrangements and the complex train planning process progress. The train will visit Scotland, Wales and all English regions. No passengers will be carried in transit.
A virtual tour of the exhibition experience is planned for those who are unable to visit.
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, a cross-sector, Government-backed campaign, said:
This special exhibition train will provide a unique visitor experience for hundreds of thousands of people across Britain, including many schoolchildren. ‘Inspiration’ will excite, enlighten, entertain and encourage people to take a fresh view of the railway, as part of its bicentenary celebrations.
It will also invite visitors to consider a career in rail by showcasing the extensive variety of roles available. We look forward to welcoming them onboard for an unforgettable and potentially life-changing experience
Charlotte Kingston from the National Railway Museum added:
The National Railway Museum is a proud partner of Railway 200 and we’re thrilled that ‘Inspiration’ will be touring the country, sharing our stories with so many people. Railways have shaped our world in so many ways, from what we eat to where we go on holiday, and to inspire people with that epic narrative and give them a chance to get involved in this celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Rail’s bicentenary kicked off with a whistle-up of more than 200 locomotives across five continents on New Year’s Day, followed by the launch of a commemorative coin from The Royal Mint, a mega rail sale of discounted train tickets, Railway 200 train namings, and an anniversary merchandise range. More than 275 anniversary activities and events are listed on an interactive map, which is regularly updated.