‘Railway 200’ Exhibition Train to visit Corfe Castle as part of its tour of Britain

Photo: Jack Boskett / Railway 200

An inspiring family-friendly exhibition train celebrating the fascinating 200 year history of the railways – as well as showcasing current developments and future aspirations - is to visit the Swanage Railway as part of its tour of Britain.

Located at Corfe Castle station for three days, the special Railway 200 train – named the ‘Inspiration’ and operated by Network Rail with assistance from the National Railway Museum – is free to visit, with a valid Swanage Railway train ticket, and will be open from Monday, 16 February, to Wednesday, 18 February, 2026, inclusive, 10am to 4pm.

The historic visit of the interactive Railway 200 exhibition train comes in the month the Swanage Railway celebrates the 50th anniversary of dedicated volunteers starting restoration work at a disused and boarded up Swanage station on Saturday, 14 February, 1976.

The public is being encouraged to travel to the Railway 200 exhibition train at Corfe Castle by train because there is no car parking outside Corfe Castle station and parking in the picture postcard village is limited.

A 1950s heritage diesel rail bus will form a regular ‘Railway 200’ feeder train service from Norden station - next to Dorset Council’s Purbeck Park long-stay car park - to the ‘Inspiration’ exhibition train at Corfe Castle.

There will also be a heritage steam train service between Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston, and Swanage from Monday, 16 February, to Wednesday, 18 February, 2026, inclusive.

Tickets for travel on the 1950s heritage diesel railbus between Norden and Corfe Castle, to visit the Railway 200 exhibition train, can be booked via the Swanage Railway website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/railway-200-exhibition-train-at-swanage-railway.

On-line bookings for steam train travel from Norden, Swanage, Herston, and Harman’s Cross to Corfe Castle, for the Railway 200 exhibition train, are due to open soon.

The special ‘Inspiration’ train is part of the national Railway 200 celebrations during 2025 marking two centuries since the first passenger train – hauled by George and Robert Stephenson’s ‘Locomotion No. 1’ steam engine – ran on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, in County Durham, on 27 September, 1825.

That historic journey changed the world because the innovation standardised time, revolutionised leisure and business travel, enabled the growth of economies and enabled mass tourism and sports leagues.

Co-curated with the National Railway Museum, the ‘Inspiration’ Railway 200 exhibition train reveals how railways transformed the United Kingdom and ultimately the world.

The engaging and family-friendly exhibition train also includes a fascinating look at railway firsts, hands-on engineering challenges and a summary of interesting – and lesser known – careers on the railways.

So far, during its 60-stop year-long tour of Great Britain, the Railway 200 exhibition train has welcomed around 50,000 visitors – with many of the visitors praising the family -friendly experience as “brilliant” and “interactive” while nine in ten visitors would recommend the special train to a friend.

Swanage Railway Chief Executive Officer Abbie King said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be welcoming the family-friendly ‘Inspiration’ Railway 200 exhibition train to the Swanage Railway as part of its tour of Britain.

“Railways have played such an important role in shaping communities and connecting people with this exhibition bringing that fascinating story to life in a way that’s fun and accessible for all ages. It’s a real privilege for the Swanage Railway to host something so special and historic celebrating our rich heritage and the exciting future of rail travel.

“A fun, free and fascinating way to learn about the past, present and future of the railways, there will be something of interest for everyone – whether you are a railway enthusiast or just curious about an important British innovation that changed the world.

“We look forward to the Railway 200 exhibition train inspiring Swanage Railway visitors of all ages,” added Abbie.

Composed of five former British Rail Mark Three-type carriages built in Derby during the 1970s and 1980s, the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ train has been funded by Network Rail and a £250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The inspirational train’s eye-catching and colourful ‘Past, Present and Future Together’ livery has been funded by the train leasing company Porterbrook.

Anyone interested in finding out more about volunteering at the Swanage Railway’s Norden, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston or Swanage stations should email iwanttovolunteer@swanagerailway.co.uk while details about volunteering can also be found at swanagerailwaytrust.org/volunteering.

Story by Andrew P.M. Wright,

Swanage Railway official photographer and press officer.