AN EXHIBITION train celebrating 200 years of rail travel is coming to West Somerset Railway.
The 'Inspiration' is set to be stationary at the West Somerset Railway from Monday, November 24, to Saturday, November 29.
The Railway 200 Inspiration Train will stop at West Somerset Railway stations as part of its UK-wide tour, marking 200 years of the modern railway.
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Over the course of its year-long tour, more than 200,000 visitors—including numerous schoolchildren—are anticipated to visit the train as it travels to 60 locations throughout Britain, presenting the history and future of rail in informative and engaging ways.
This train serves as a centrepiece of a year-long celebration marking two centuries of British railways and aims to encourage interest in railway careers by showcasing the industry’s diverse range of roles and opportunities.
Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, the four carriages include a ‘Railway Firsts’ coach, which highlights significant moments in the development of the railway; a ‘Wonderlab on Wheels’ coach that allows visitors to test their engineering skills with various interactive exhibits; a carriage called ‘Your Railway Future,’ which showcases less visible roles in rail and encourages consideration of careers in the industry for the future; and a ‘Partner Zone,’ which will change as the train travels across Britain and stops at different locations.
Admission to visit the train will be free of charge but tickets should be booked in advance from the West Somerset Railway via its website or by calling 01643 704996 (Monday to Friday).
In addition to “Inspiration”, the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard station will be open to visitors with exhibits including the Great Western Railway sleeping car, restored by the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust as part of its Heritage Carriages Project.
The WSRHT also includes education amongst its objectives and will be welcoming school groups. It performs this outreach work in conjunction with the West Somerset Railway Association. The school visitors will be welcomed in a separate area from the general public.
A large heated marquee will welcome visitors and will include a pop-up cafe and shop, the latter offering a chance to buy a Christmas gift or a souvenir.
On November 25 and 28, a special shuttle train will operate between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard stations. Travel on this is free but is only available for holders of tickets to visit the “Inspiration” train.
Saturday, November 29, will see another train at Bishops Lydeard, as a steam train will depart at 10:30am for the Christmas Market at Minehead Station, calling at Williton and Watchet en route. That is the start of the West Somerset Railways programme of Festive Trains. Again, details of these can be seen online or by calling 01643 704996. Festive train leaflets can be found at Local Information Centres.
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: “This special exhibition train is a new, free national visitor attraction, offering an unforgettable experience for hundreds of thousands of people across Britain, including many schoolchildren.
"It will excite, enlighten, entertain and inspire them to take a fresh look at the railway, as part of its anniversary celebrations.”
Lyndsey Robson-Malone, Service Delivery Director for South Western Railway, commented: “Across the SWR network, the last seven months have been packed with events marking special anniversaries, station birthdays and more for Railway 200, celebrating the countless big and small ways the railway shapes and supports our region.
“As we host the Inspiration train at the country’s biggest station, we hope it will encourage the next generation to take our great industry forward in the decades and centuries ahead.
“Alongside many more Railway 200 activities planned for the rest of the year, we look forward to welcoming the Inspiration back to the SWR network at Southampton Central in December.”
Looking ahead, the West Somerset Railway will be marking its own 50th Anniversary in 2026.
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