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Monday 3 Mar 2025

Railway 200’s unique touring exhibition train to visit Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering in Derby

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

As part of Railway 200 – a national celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the modern railway – a new and unique exhibition train is due to be a major attraction at The Greatest Gathering, hosted by train builder Alstom at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works from 1 to 3 August.

The event will present the largest temporary collection of trains and rail exhibits in a generation.

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 £250,000 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 200^th 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.  

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.”

Andy Butters, managing director, Derby Litchurch Lane Works at Alstom, said: “We are delighted that Inspiration will be visiting our historic site in Derby as part of The Greatest Gathering. The Railway 200 exhibition train is a powerful symbol of our industry’s past, present and future – showcasing the pioneering innovation that has defined Britain’s railways for two centuries.”

Jake Kelly, managing director of Network Rail’s Eastern region, said: “We look forward to seeing this unique attraction delighting visitors as it makes its way around the area, marking this special year for rail.

“Inspiration has been designed to inspire young people by highlighting the wide range of career opportunities available in our industry, as we look to attract the next generation of pioneering talent.”

National Railway Museum spokesperson Charlotte Kingston added: “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.”

A virtual tour of the exhibition experience is planned for those who are unable to visit.

For more on Railway 200 and how to get involved visit www.railway200.co.uk