'Brilliant’ and free exhibition train adds south coast dates to tour

ExCo

More than 60,000 have visited the Railway 200 exhibition trainon its 60-stop, year-long tour of Britain, and thousands have already booked tickets for stops in Hastings and Worthing.

Co-curated with the National Railway Museum and called Inspiration, it uses rare artefacts and fascinating facts to explore how railways transformed the world. It includes hands-on engineering challenges and a whistle-stop tour of interesting – and lesser-known – careers on the railways.

Excitingly, new dates have been added for Inspiration to visit Bognor Regis on March 2 and 3 and Lewes on March 5 and 6, hosted at both stops by Southern.

It will also be in Worthing on February 27 and 28 and Hastings from March 12 to March 15 inclusive.

Tickets are free but availability is limited. Stops are often fully booked, including the recent visit to nearby Southampton. Local schools will be invited for free, bespoke tours.

Visitors have described it as “unique”, “extremely interesting” and “really well curated”.

Tara Jones Ulla, who visited Inspiration in Somerset, said it was “brilliant”, adding: “It was so informative without being overwhelming, with lots of interactive and hands on exhibits. I came away so happy!”

Michael Wilson, who visited in London Paddington, said: “The whole thing was well thought out. The interactive exhibits were brilliant and my children loved it.”

Inspiration is part of Railway 200, the national celebration marking two centuries of the modern railway. Thousands of events during 2025 celebrated a British innovation that revolutionised travel, supercharged economies and enabled mass tourism, sports leagues and the standardisation of time.

John Whitehurst, Chief Operating Officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Southern Railway, said: “A little more than two hundred years ago the modern railway came into existence, transforming our society by bringing people and business closer together.

“Our industry is constantly evolving, with new science and technology shaping the way we travel. Inspiration will be sat on platforms alongside our modern, comfortable fleet of trains responsible for transporting almost one million passengers each day, showing this innovation put into practice.

“We want to attract a new generation from all backgrounds into an industry with a rich heritage that remains relevant today. The railway is great for the climate, and helps our local communities thrive.”

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, said: “Railways are one of history’s most important inventions and inside this train you can explore the story of rail in a fun and family-friendly environment.

“Inspiration has already travelled thousands of miles across Britain – from Scotland to Southampton – and we are hugely excited for the run of dates on the south coast. We can’t wait to welcome people aboard in Bognor Regis, Lewes, Worthing and Hastings.”

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 tours until June 2026. It was supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Porterbrook funded its eye-catching livery.

About Railway 200

2025 marked the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever. Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations took place throughout 2025, showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow. The Railway 200 exhibition train Inspiration tours until June 2026.

About the National Railway Museum and Locomotion

• The National Railway Museum in York has the largest collection of railway objects in the world and is the most visited free attraction in the region. It celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025.
• Locomotion hosts the largest undercover collection of historic railway vehicles in Europe, showcasing highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in Shildon - the world’s first railway town.
• The National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in County Durham form part of the Science Museum Group.

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