Free exhibition train heads to Sussex: Time is running out to get hold of a ticket
Time is running out to get hold of a ticket for a free exhibition train in Worthing and Hastings.
This year marks 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’.
Railway 200’s free exhibition train – called Inspiration – celebrates the past, present and future of rail.
The popular and family-friendly attraction is on a 60-stop, year-long tour of the UK – and is now heading to the Sussex towns of Worthing and Hastings
"More than 40,000 have already visited Inspiration and it has received rave reviews, with 9 in 10 saying they would recommend it to a friend,” a spokesperson for Network Rail said.
"Co-curated with the National Railway Museum, Inspiration reveals how railways transformed the UK – and ultimately the world. It includes a fascinating look at railway firsts, hands-on engineering challenges and a whistle-stop tour of interesting – and lesser-known – careers on the railways.”
The next stops on the tour were announced this week and it will be visiting two Sussex towns in 2026:
– Worthing: February 27 to February 28 (hosted by Southern);
– Hastings: March 12 to March 15 (hosted by Southeastern).
Tickets are free but availability is limited. You book your seat at https://railway200.co.uk/inspiration/.
Angie Doll, Chief Executive Officer at Govia Thameslink Railway, which runs Southern Railway, said: “Two hundred years ago the modern railway came into existence and utterly transformed our society.
“The inventions, science and technology that created it makes for fascinating learning, especially with the exhibition train sitting on the same platforms our modern, comfortable fleet run from.
“Working together, we hope to educate and inspire young people in rail’s past and future. 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.”
Kevin Warn, Southeastern’s general manager for the south, said this is a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for families and rail enthusiasts alike to ‘explore 200 years of railway history and discover the exciting future of rail’.
She added: “We’re thrilled to welcome the Railway 200 exhibition train to Hastings.
“The whole team is proud to be part of this celebration of innovation and connectivity, and we look forward to seeing our community climb aboard for this unique experience.”
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said Inspiration is a ‘fun, free and fascinating way’ to learn about the past, present and future of rail.
She added: “There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a rail enthusiast or simply curious about a British innovation that changed the world.
“We’re excited to bring Inspiration to Sussex and we look forward to welcoming you aboard!”
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said he is ‘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,” he said.
“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.”
Railway 200 celebrates two centuries since Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 steamed along the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The bicentenary kicked off on New Year’s Day 2025 with a ‘whistle-up’ of more than 200 locomotives across five continents.
Inspiration was supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Porterbrook ‘funded its eye-catching livery’.