The Railway 200 train, Inspiration, is heading to Southampton for its second-to-last stop of the year.

Inspiration will be visiting between the 14th and 16th December, and booking for it is now open.

The exhibition train is visiting 27 locations this year as part of its tour, with further dates and locations to be announced for 2026.

Inspiration doesn’t carry any passengers in its four coaches but opens up to the public at each location.

Each carriage explores the railways’ past, present, and future, through its Railway Firsts coach, its Wonderlab on Wheels coach, the Your Railway Future coach and the Partner Zone.

Tickets for Inspiration are free (however, those attending it at heritage railways and private sites will have entry fees) and can be booked for Southampton online.

Visits begin at 10 am and last entry is at 4 pm, fully closing at 5 pm.

“We’re delighted to welcome the Inspiration Train back to the SWR network following its visit to Waterloo in July. Its arrival in Southampton – a city where countless journeys have begun, connecting rail and sea – is a fitting celebration in the railway’s 200th year. We hope many more people will take the chance to step on board and explore the past, present and future of the railway during this milestone anniversary” 

Phil Dominey, South Western Railway’s Senior Regional Development Manager