Thousands flock to touring Railway 200 exhibition train during Crewe stop

Almost 3,000 visitors stepped aboard a specially converted exhibition train at Crewe station as part of nationwide celebrations marking two centuries of railways in the UK, with Avanti West Coast hosting the event.

The touring train, Inspiration, arrived in Crewe from Thursday 15 to Sunday 19 January, giving members of the public free access to exhibitions exploring the railway’s history, its role today and what lies ahead. The project has been co-curated by Railway 200 and the National Railway Museum and forms part of the wider Railway 200 programme commemorating the industry’s 200th anniversary.

Spread across a number of carriages, the exhibition invited visitors to move through themed displays focusing on innovation, careers and the social impact of rail. Crewe marked the 30th stop on Inspiration’s national tour and represented the halfway point of its year-long journey, which runs from 2025 until June 2026. Avanti West Coast, which manages Crewe station, hosted the visit.

Around 300 students from schools and colleges across the North West and North Wales were among those who attended, including groups from Crewe Engineering and Design UTC and Underwood West Academy. These visits were organised through Avanti West Coast’s Feel Good Futures programme, which is designed to introduce young people to the railway industry and the range of careers it offers.

Alongside school groups, families and rail enthusiasts attended throughout the five-day stop. The train features hands-on exhibits and activities aimed at all ages, while local organisations linked to the rail sector, including train manufacturer Alstom and infrastructure firm Balfour Beatty, were also present at the station to promote careers and highlight Crewe’s longstanding links to the railway.

The weekend programme included an appearance by record producer and well-known rail enthusiast Pete Waterman, who attended with members of his Railnuts group. They displayed a miniature version of Inspiration, recently added to their record-breaking model railway.

Taryn Banks, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Crewe, said:

“Welcoming thousands of people onboard Inspiration during its stop in Crewe has been fantastic. Crewe has a proud railway heritage and is a key hub on the West Coast Main Line, so it’s been great to see so much enthusiasm from people of all ages. It shows just how important the railway is to the town. We’ve enjoyed working with local organisations to celebrate 200 years of the railways and would like to say a big thank you to them, as well as the many volunteers who helped make Inspiration’s visit a success. We hope the event sparked a passion for rail among the next generation, so our railways can continue to thrive for years to come.”

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, said:

“Crewe has an amazing history as one of the world’s first railway towns, so we were delighted that thousands braved the January weather to visit Inspiration. A huge thank you to everyone who made this visit unforgettable, and a special thanks to the volunteers, staff, Avanti West Coast and our many local partners.”

Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said:

“The Railway 200 Inspiration train journey wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Crewe station. The story of Crewe is interlocked with the railways and, as an industry, it continues to support the livelihoods of many residents today. Rail is part of our shared history and our sustainable future. Inspiration is a fantastic representation of that relationship, and I hope it encourages people to learn more about our remarkable infrastructure networks.”

Steven Fergusson, Deputy Principal at Crewe Engineering and Design University Technical College (UTC), said:

“At Crewe UTC we are proud to give our students opportunities like visiting the Railway 200 Inspiration train, which showcase the exciting and diverse careers available in the rail sector. With Crewe’s rich railway heritage and our close partnerships with local rail firms, we ensure our students gain real-world insight and support to pursue future careers in this vital industry.”

Image: Avanti West Coast