See the unique new exhibition train Inspiration on its visit to our museum as part of Railway 200.
Celebrate the national 200th anniversary of the modern railway and the S&DR 200 Festival with a visit to Locomotion, where for a limited time you will be able to see Inspiration.
What is Inspiration?
It's an actual train, with exhibitions inside! This special train will be visiting Locomotion in Shildon as part of its tour.
The touring exhibition train 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, rail freight sites and, of course, our museum.
What are the exhibitions?
During Inspiration's time on display outside by the museum entrance you can explore the interactive carriages curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum which promote the past, present and future of the railway. They include:
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
How can I see it?
- We are expecting this to be a popular event so you'll need a ticket to access the exhibition train
- Ticket holders will have access to the exhibition train for 45 minutes
- The train will be staffed by volunteers
- All carriage doors will be open. There are clear walkways between each carriage but wheelchair users will need to gain access through each carriage door
Tickets will be available soon. Use the form below to register your interest in visiting the exhibition train and you'll be one of the first to hear when free tickets are available to book. Don't miss out!