Inspiration Train Draws Thousands to Upminster in Landmark Week for c2c

Local rail operator c2c Railway says last week’s visit by the travelling exhibition train Inspiration drew a strong response in Upminster, attracting thousands of school pupils alongside hundreds of members of the public. The train was stationed at Upminster from 26 to 30 January, with the operator describing the turnout as a clear success.

Inspiration is part of the Railway 200 programme, marking the bicentenary of the modern railway, which traces its origins back to September 1825. The exhibition is designed to introduce younger audiences to the history of the railways while also explaining how the industry continues to support communities, employment and everyday life across the country.

c2c hosted the train during its stop in east London, welcoming visiting school groups throughout the week as well as opening the carriages to the wider public. The operator said the event also provided an opportunity to reflect on the heritage of the route and the generations of railway workers who have helped shape it.

Commenting on Inspiration’s stay at Upminster, c2c’s Operations & Safety Director, Stu Browning, said:

“Standing alongside Councillor Sue Ospreay, Madam Mayor of Havering and Jamie Burles, the Managing Director of Anglia Railway, it was an honour and a privilege to officially welcome and launch Inspiration to c2c and Upminster station last week. Inspiration was hugely popular with both the people of Upminster and those from further afield in east London and south Essex, and the event allowed us to rightly honour the history of our route and the many generations of people that have contributed to its success. We welcomed thousands of school children and hundreds of public visitors over the course of last week, and I know that their visits will live long in the memory.”

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager at Railway 200, said:

“Thank you to everyone who made Inspiration’s visit to Upminster so special. It was fantastic to see so many people, including hundreds of school children, exploring the train and learning about how the railways transformed the world.”

Tricia Cowdrey, Chair of the East Beach Residents Association (Shoeburyness) and one of the first visitors onboard Inspiration, said:

“I had a really interesting afternoon visiting the Inspiration train at Upminster. As well as the historical information, it was good to learn about some of the engineering aspects, including the tunnel digger and other equipment. All four carriages included a range of interactive activities, and I’m quite proud of my bridge building skills. I was also really interested to learn that I should be a train driver trainer – and if I was a few years younger, then that would be great.”

Abu Siddeeq, c2c’s Customer Experience Director, said:

“I would like to thank Network Rail, Railway 200, the National Railway Museum and the team at c2c who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for many months, and also volunteered onboard the train, to ensure that Inspiration was a huge success.”

Image: c2c