Hands-On History: Railway 200 Inspiration Train Draws Crowds to Southampton

Southampton Central was abuzz this week as over 2,000 visitors turned out to celebrate 200 years of Britain’s railway with a special stop by the Railway 200 Inspiration train. Hosted by South Western Railway (SWR) between 14 and 16 December, the exhibition train offered a unique, interactive experience for rail enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

Curated alongside the National Railway Museum, the Inspiration train is designed to engage the next generation of railway talent. Its four striking coaches each offered something different. The ‘Railway Firsts’ coach highlighted landmark achievements in rail history, while ‘Wonderlab on Wheels’ gave visitors the chance to test engineering skills through hands-on exhibits. Young visitors were particularly drawn to ‘Your Railway Future’, which showcased lesser-known roles in the industry and encouraged future careers in rail. The final coach, the ‘Partner Zone’, featured a SWR Virtual Reality experience, alongside exhibitions from the University of Portsmouth and Brickworks.

The occasion was marked with the unveiling of two new murals at the station and a lively performance from the Steam Town Shanty Crew, an a cappella group from Eastleigh, singing traditional maritime songs. The city’s railway heritage has long been tied to the sea: Southampton Central opened as ‘Southampton West’ in 1895 under the London & South Western Railway, connecting passengers to Southampton Docks, while the former Southampton Terminus served the port from 1840 to 1966.

Phil Dominey, SWR’s Senior Regional Development Manager, said:

"It was such a joy to welcome the Inspiration Train back to the SWR network following its visit to London Waterloo in July. The visit to Southampton was very special, as it is a city where countless journeys have begun, connecting rail and sea. The event was a fitting celebration in the railway's 200th year. So many people took the opportunity to step on board to explore the past, present and future of the railway. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this such a successful event including the volunteers and stakeholders, including GO! Southampton and Winchester Railway Modellers.”

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, added:

“From the striking mural and the sea shanties to the more than 2,000 happy visitors who flocked to Southampton station, it’s been a stop to remember on Inspiration’s tour. Inspiration continues travelling Britain until June 2026. If you missed out this time, it’s visiting Swanage, Salisbury and The Watercress Line near Winchester in February.”

Image: Southwestern Railway