Railway 200 Celebrations

As part of our celebrations, a new and unique exhibition train is due to open to the public on 27 June at the Severn Valley Railway as part of a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

The touring train, named Inspiration, is expected to visit 60 locations across Britain over 12 months up to summer 2026, creating a buzz of interest and excitement at mainline stations, heritage railways and rail freight sites.

Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, it will be the only exhibition train on the rail network and will promote the past, present and future of the railway, helping to attract the next generation of pioneering talent.

To celebrate Railway 200 in style, we have a packed programme of events and activities:

• Friday 27-Sunday 29 June, Exhibition Train open to the public, with heritage train rides on 28 & 29 June.
• Monday 30 June-Friday 4 July, Exhibition Train open for educational visits
• Saturday 5-Sunday 6 July, Railway 200: Trains Through The Ages special event starring LNER 60163 Tornado and Exhibition Train open to the public, with heritage train rides.

More information available soon.

Railway 200: Exhibition Train

Sporting an eye-catching livery, visitors young and old will go on a journey of discovery exploring the railway’s 200-year story of innovation, brought to life by interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities.

Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Inspiration’s exhibition carriages are:

• Railway Firsts: Showcasing groundbreaking innovations in railway history
• Wonderlab on Wheels: Offering engaging hands-on activities to explore the science and engineering behind railways
• Your Railway Future: Uncovering some of the more hidden roles in rail and encouraging people to consider a career in rail to shape the next 200 years

Reserve your FREE place to visit Inspiration whilst at the Severn Valley Railway.

Railway 200: Trains Through The Ages

On 5-6 July, we will be showcasing trains through the ages with a busy timetable of trains and attractions along the line. Find out what we have planned.