Network Rail has confirmed that internary for the Railway 200 exhibition train, which will run around the UK.
The train will open to the public on the 27th of June at the Severn Valley Railway.
Named Inspiration, the train will visit 60 locations across Britain up until Summer 2026.
The train has been created in partnership with the National Railway Museum and will feature a striking livery on the Mark 3 coaches.
Included will be a Railway Firsts coach, highlighting the landmark moments of the railway along with a Wonderlab on Wheels.
The carriages are currently being fitted out and are supported by a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
On the mainline, the train will be operated by GB Railfreight.
Admission to the train will be free, but normal entry charges to heritage railways and private sites where it is located will apply.
The initial planned itinerary is:
| Date | Location |
| 27 June – 6 July | Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, Worcestershire |
| 8 – 10 July | Birmingham Moor Street station |
| 12 – 15 July | London Euston station |
| 18 – 19 July | London Waterloo station |
| 20 – 21 July | Margate station, Kent |
| 23 – 29 July | Bluebell Railway, Sussex |
| 1 – 3 August | Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site, Derby (for ‘The Greatest Gathering’) |
| 7 – 10 August | Norwich station, Norfolk |
| 11 – 14 August | Lowestoft station, Suffolk |
| 16 – 17 August | Freightliner Doncaster Railport, South Yorkshire |
| 23 – 31 August | National Railway Museum, York (as part of the NRM’s 50th birthday) |
| 10 – 17 September | Darlington station, County Durham (as part of S&DR200) |
| 20 September – 1 October | Locomotion museum, Shildon, County Durham (the cradle of the railway, adjoining the original route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, as part of S&DR200) |
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.
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.
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200
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