Inspiration Train
All aboard for this exciting Exhibition Train!
23 – 24 January 2026
Longtime visitors to the East Lancashire Railway will know we spent much of last year celebrating 200 years of rail travel in the UK. Our various enthusiast galas and open days were part of a nationwide effort to commemorate this important milestone, known as Rail 200. Well, the party isn’t over yet!
Railway 200’s exhibition train is finally making its way to the ELR!
What is the Inspiration Train?
The Inspiration Train is a family-friendly mobile exhibition that celebrates the past, present and future of rail travel in the United Kingdom. Co-curated with the National Railway Museum, the Inspiration Train reveals how railways transformed the UK – and ultimately the world.
Be inspired!
The train will take you on a journey through railway firsts. It will feature interactive engineering challenges, as well as a whistle-stop tour of interesting and lesser-known career paths on the railways. Visitors have described the experience as “brilliant” and “fascinating”, and there’s something there for everyone, from the young to the young at heart.
Tickets
Tickets to enter the Inspiration Train are free, though they do need to be booked in advance.
If you want to ride on any of the trains visitors must buy a ticket to the East Lancashire Railway.
| DATE | OPENING TIMES | BOOK NOW |
| Friday 23 January | 12:00 – 17:00 | Book Now |
| Saturday 24 January | 10:00 – 17:00 | Book Now |
Please note on Saturday 24 January the East Lancashire Railway is also hosting an Open House Event. Please note, tickets to the Open House Event do not allow access to the Inspiration Train or vice versa.
