The Railway 200 Inspiration train spent last week at the West Somerset Railway and is getting ready for its next stop – London Paddington.
Inspiration is in its last three stops of its 2025 tour and will arrive in Platform 8 on Monday, 8th December.
People can visit the interactive train and experience each carriage, including Railway Firsts and the Wonderlab on Wheels, until 13th December.
Exhibition stands will also be at the station, with staff on hand to answer questions about the history of railways and plans for the future.
There may also be a special guest appearance from Paddington Bear.
Tickets are free; however, demand is expected to be high, so it’s best to book in advance, which can be done online.
Should you miss this stop, there is a virtual tour available, and some dates for 2026 have been announced.
“We’re delighted to be hosting Railway 200’s Inspiration train in the run up to Christmas, adding to the festive magic at London Paddington and celebrating two centuries of train travel in Britain.
“We’ve worked closely with colleagues across the industry, including at GWR and Transport for London, to bring this anniversary to life. Our partners at the STEAM Railway Museum in Swindon and Reading Museum, Reading, have kindly shared their archives with us for this event and both museums are well worth a visit to learn even more about how train travel shaped Britain.
“Our region is home to Brunel’s iconic railway and we look forward to sharing that history with visitors from across the country. A number of our stations marked significant birthdays in 2025, with both Reading and Bristol Temple Meads turning 185 in this 200th anniversary year. With such a rich railway history, we’re proud to celebrate Railway 200, and look forward to seeing what the future brings.”
Marcus Jones, Network Rail’s Western route director
Responses