Railway 200’s travelling exhibition train arrived in style at the Severn Valley Railway today [Friday 27 June] for the very first leg of its UK-wide tour.
The specially commissioned Inspiration train arrived at Kidderminster Town station, sporting its one-off livery, in tandem with the SVR’s heritage steam locomotive GWR 1450. On board Inspiration, visitors were treated to a voyage of discovery, celebrating the past, present and future of the railway.
Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director said: ‘We are thrilled that the Severn Valley Railway is the first venue to host Inspiration and we know that our visitors over the next 10 days are going to love it! It’s a fascinating look into everything related to the railway, with exciting, interactive exhibits that are really going to spark the imagination. The best thing of all is that it’s free for everyone to visit!
‘For the final two days of Inspiration’s stay with us on 5 and 6 July, it’s our Railway 200: Trains through the Ages weekend. This is going to be really special, with an intensive timetable and rolling stock from all eras including the visiting LMS 46115 Scots Guardsman and HydroFLEX which is the cutting edge in current rail technology. There’ll be footplate rides on narrow gauge locos Chaloner and Holy War at The Engine House, Highley plus our own Autotrain and many other steam and heritage diesel locomotives. We’ve even got a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster bomber!’
Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said: ‘We’re so excited that the Inspiration train has arrived and opened its doors for the first time here in Kidderminster. Birmingham and the West Midlands are at the heart of Britain’s railway, making it the perfect starting point for the Railway 200 exhibition train tour.
‘This unique train will offer visitors an experience that showcases the railway’s vital role in Britain’s past, present, and future. I am so excited to see it inspire thousands of visitors from the West Midlands who will be among the first in Britain to experience what this remarkable train has to offer.’
Inspiration will be on platform at the SVR’s Kidderminster Town station until 6 July. Entry is free, but time slots must be pre-booked at svr.co.uk, and a small booking fee applies. Tickets to visit the exhibition train do not include travel, which must be booked separately.
Railway 200 is a year-long, nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of modern railways, aimed at attracting the next generation of pioneering talent.