Railway 200 Exhibition Train Inspiration Arrives at London Paddington
A special exhibition train celebrating 200 years of Britain’s railways has arrived at London Paddington, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history and future of train travel. The train, named Inspiration, will be open for public visits until Saturday 13 December.
Inspiration features themed carriages designed to engage visitors of all ages. “Railway Firsts” highlights pioneering innovations, “Wonderlab on Wheels” offers hands-on science and engineering activities, and “Your Railway Future” explores hidden roles in the industry while encouraging people to consider a career in rail. The exhibition forms part of the Railway 200 programme, marking two centuries since the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened in 1825.
Tickets to board the train are free, though demand is high. Visitors can reserve their place via the Railway 200 website. The train will continue touring the country into 2026, with new dates and destinations to be announced. At Paddington, additional exhibition stands are set up on a nearby platform, and railway staff are available to guide visitors and answer questions about Britain’s rail history and innovations.
Paddington Bear made a special appearance at his namesake station, delighting passengers and joining the celebrations.
Marcus Jones, Network Rail’s Western route director, said:
“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. Our region is home to Brunel’s iconic railway and we look forward to sharing that history with visitors from across the country.”
GWR station manager Dean Haynes added:
“We’ve worked very closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to support the Railway 200 celebrations and were proud to be the host station for the launch of Inspiration in June. We had lots of schoolchildren boarding the train that afternoon and you could tell it had really captured the imagination. We’re delighted to welcome it back to Paddington for a six-day stop.”
Emma Roberts, Railway 200 programme manager, said:
“Inspiration is a fun, free and fascinating way to learn about the past, present and future of rail. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a rail enthusiast or simply curious about a British innovation that changed the world. We’re excited to bring Inspiration to London Paddington and we look forward to welcoming you aboard!”
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy added:
“I’m proud to be celebrating our heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway; to this day our railway network is the backbone of our economy, driving economic growth, jobs and homes. With this train, we’re not just looking to the past, we are inspiring the diverse next generation of engineers, drivers, conductors and technicians, and shining a light on what the railway is delivering today.”
Image: Network Rail