Rail 200 "Inspiration" Train
19th - 21st May 2026
Railway 200 Exhibition Train “Inspiration” Visits the Mid-Norfolk Railway
This May, the Railway 200 exhibition train Inspiration will visit the Mid-Norfolk Railway as part of its nationwide tour celebrating 200 years of the modern railway.
Packed with fascinating stories, rare artefacts and interactive exhibits, this unique travelling exhibition inside a train offers a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages — and entry is completely free.
More than 70,000 people have already visited Inspiration during its 60-stop tour of Britain, with 9 in 10 visitors recommending the experience.
When and Where to Visit
The exhibition train will be open to visitors at two Mid-Norfolk Railway locations:
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Dereham Station – Tuesday 19th May and Wednesday 20th May
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Wymondham Station – Thursday 21st May
Tickets are free, but advance booking is required as spaces are limited.
Book your free tickets here
What You’ll Experience On Board
Co-curated with the National Railway Museum, the exhibition explores how railways transformed the world and continue to shape the future.
Visitors can discover:
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Rare railway artefacts and historic objects
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Inspiring stories from 200 years of railway history
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Interactive exhibits and hands-on engineering challenges
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Insights into modern railway careers you may never have heard of
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A family-friendly learning experience suitable for all ages
The exhibition has been described by visitors as:
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“Brilliant”
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“Extremely interesting”
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“Really well curated”
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“Unique and informative with lots of interactive exhibits”
Inspiring the Next Generation
While the Mid-Norfolk Railway proudly celebrates railway heritage, we are also passionate about exploring the future of the railway industry — from engineering innovations to new career opportunities.
Hosting the Inspiration train gives our community the chance to learn about both the history and future of railways, helping inspire the next generation of railway engineers, drivers, technicians and enthusiasts.
Local schools will also be invited to attend free bespoke tours during the visit.
Part of the National Railway 200 Celebration
Inspiration forms part of Railway 200, the national programme celebrating two centuries since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825, the journey that launched the modern railway.
The railway revolutionised travel, transformed economies and helped shape the modern world — from mass tourism to the standardisation of time.
The exhibition train will continue touring Britain until June 2026, and this may be one of the final opportunities to see it in East Anglia.
Event - Terms & Conditions
**Please note that whilst every effort is made to the advertised traction & services we do reserve the right to amend, alter or cancel service, The Mid-Norfolk Railway does not accept any responsibility for any inconvenience caused.
***Please note that the Mid-Norfolk Railway do operate a Challenge 25 policy and reserves the right to ask for Photo Identification/proof of date of birth. The Mid-Norfolk Railway also reserves the right to not serve alcohol to anyone it believes is below 18 years old, no refund will be made in this case. The Mid-Norfolk Railway will not tolerate any abuse or violence towards its staff members at any time.
****The Mid-Norfolk Railway are unable to offer any cancellations, refunds or reschedules to any orders, therefore please ensure you can attend the date/time you select before you make payment and book. By making a booking you agree that you shall not take on board the carriage any alcoholic drinks or illegal substances.
Full Terms & Conditions can be found here