A ‘one-of-a-kind’ train will journey across the country later this year, to celebrate 200 years of rail travel in the UK.

Part of Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking two centuries of train travel in the UK, the unique train called Inspiration will call at 60 destinations across the country.

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The train, which is currently being kitted out, will sport an eye-catching livery.

It will comprise of four reconfigured Mark 3 coaches that have been procured by Network Rail.

Inside, Inspiration will feature three exhibitions onboard, including Railway Firsts, Wonderlab on Wheels and Your Railway Future.

While passengers won’t be able to travel on the three-carriage train, they will be able to explore each of the exhibits on the unique train.

Railway Firsts will feature groundbreaking innovations in railway history.

Wonderlab on Wheels will have hands-on activities giving visitors the chance to learn about the science and engineering behind the railways.

The final carriage, Your Railway Future, will explain hidden roles in rail, encouraging young visitors to consider a career on the tracks.

The mobile rail exhibition has been designed to inspire schoolchildren and adults to consider a career in rail.

Inspiration will first call at the Severn Valley Railway in Kidderminster on June 27, with the heritage Railway describing the train as ‘one-of-a-kind’.

After leaving the Severn Valley Railway, Inspiration will call at Birmingham Moor Street Station before arriving in London Euston on July 12.

Inspiration will call at 60 locations across the UK, including train stations, heritage railways and rail freight sites.

The unique train will tour for 12 months, with its first 13 locations already revealed.

More than 200,000 people are expected to visit the mobile train attraction as it moves through the UK.

Entry to Inspiration will be free, although visitors will need to pay admission fees if they are accessing the train at a heritage railway or other private sites.

Inspiration has been supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and will be operated by GB Railfreight.    

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Network Rail’s Central route director, Denise Wetton, said: “Birmingham and the West Midlands are at the heart of Britain’s railway so it is fitting that this fantastic exhibition train, celebrating 200 years of the rail industry, is making its first two stops here.

“The railway has always been, and remains, a vital part of Britain and this train celebrates the past, present and future of an invention which changed the world.

“I can’t wait for it to arrive and inspire thousands of visitors from the West Midlands who will be some of the first people in Britain to see it.”

Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, a cross-sector, Government-backed campaign, added: “This special exhibition train will provide a unique visitor experience for hundreds of thousands of people across Britain, including many schoolchildren.”

Earlier this year, Sun Travel looked back on 200 years of train travel in the UK from heap seats in roofless ‘cattle trucks’ to 6-course meals in First Class.

Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world

Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.

Davos to Geneva, Switzerland

“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey

London to Paris by Eurostar

“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski

Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail

“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton

Beijing to Ulaanbatar

“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray

Previously abandoned train routes across the UK are being revamped, renovated, including a service between Oxford and Bletchley.

Northern Ireland will also benefit from a huge new transport hub when Belfast Grand Central eventually opens.

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