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Wednesday 11 Mar 2026

New dates added to popular exhibition train tour

Time is running out to visit Inspiration before tour ends in June  

A fun and family-friendly exhibition train that’s touring the country telling the story of railways has had four exciting stops added to its tour. 

Inspiration has already visited 44 locations as it’s travelled thousands of miles from the Scottish Highlands to the south coast. 

More than 70,000 people, including thousands of school pupils, have delighted in its interactive exhibits, historic artefacts, engineering challenges and amazing stories, while learning about the interesting – and surprising – careers available on the railway. 

Created by Railway 200, the train celebrates 200 years since the birth of the modern railway and explores how this British invention transformed the world. 

Today, four locations were added to its 60-stop tour. They include Skegness station – its first stop in Lincolnshire – and a return to the Severn Valley Railway, its first tour stop back in June 2026. The new dates are: 

Swansea station: 26 April to 28 April 

Skegness station: 8 May to 10 May  

The Mid-Norfolk Railway: 19 May to 21 May 

Severn Valley Railway: 23 May to 31 May 

You can see all the upcoming stops, including Bristol, Newquay, West Somerset Railway and South Devon Railway on the Railway 200 website. 

Co-curated with the National Railway Museum, Inspiration has been called “unique”, “extremely interesting” and “really well curated”.  

Richard Jones visited with his nephews in Llandudno and described it as “fantastic”. He added: “There were so many exciting activities – we all loved it!”  

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, said: “Inspiration gets a fantastic reception wherever it goes and we’ve absolutely loved bringing the story of rail to towns and cities across Britain. 

“These dates include fantastic new destinations, along with a return to Severn Valley Railway, which was a hit in 2025. 

“Inspiration’s tour is coming to an end in  June and this will be one of your last opportunities to see it – so make sure you don't miss out!” 

Those unable to attend in-person can try Inspiration’s free virtual tour and its digital guide. 

Gus Dunster, Managing Director of the Severn Valley Railway, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to secure a rare second visit from Inspiration as it approaches the end of its remarkable journey around the UK. 

“It proved incredibly popular when it launched its nationwide tour here at the Severn Valley Railway last June, and we know there will be huge excitement about its return. 

“Its visit this May coincides perfectly with the half-term holiday, offering a fantastic opportunity for families and young people to come to the SVR and experience this inspiring and thought-provoking exhibition train for themselves.” 

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “I’m proud to be celebrating our heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway; to this day our railway network is the backbone of our economy, driving economic growth, jobs and homes.  

“With this train, we’re not just looking to the past, we are inspiring the diverse next generation of engineers, drivers, conductors and technicians, and shining a light on what the railway is delivering today.”  

Inspiration was supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Porterbrook funded its eye-catching livery.