Railway 200 : 'Inspiration' touring train

[EbbwJunction1]

There’s a nice 6-day gap between Llandudno and the WSR where they could slot in a Bristol stop if they were willing! Seems daft that it’s not coming down this way.

You could say that your last line applies to South Wales as well, as so far, there are no dates.

However, I've had several discussions with fellow enthusiasts, and none of us can really come up with a location that it could stay for several days or longer. It probably has to be a main line station, and there are none between Newport and Swansea with unused platforms. Both Newport and Swansea have platforms which could be used at a push, but the use of both would require a revision to the services that currently use them. I think that the same applies to the Bristol area?

 

[timj]

The best bit on the inside was the sand tray with a railway map and moving trains projected onto it from above. I could have played with that a while longer.

I agree, that was amazing and original!

 

[JKF]

You could say that your last line applies to South Wales as well, as so far, there are no dates.

However, I've had several discussions with fellow enthusiasts, and none of us can really come up with a location that it could stay for several days or longer. It probably has to be a main line station, and there are none between Newport and Swansea with unused platforms. Both Newport and Swansea have platforms which could be used at a push, but the use of both would require a revision to the services that currently use them. I think that the same applies to the Bristol area?

I think Platform 2 at Temple Meads could work, although occasionally used for stabling so might need alternative arrangements. And I don’t know what that platform face is like given it’s not used for passengers.

 

[50002Superb]

I could be wrong but I think they’ve announced further dates for this?

Does anyone know where the stock will go between it’s scheduled visits to the West Somerset Railway and London Paddington please?

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I could be wrong but I think they’ve announced further dates for this?

Does anyone know where the stock will go between it’s scheduled visits to the West Somerset Railway and London Paddington please?

This is a link to the current programme, which takes the list of places and dates up to 24th March 2026.

There's still a gap of just over a week between the current visit to the West Somerset Railway and the next one at London Paddington. However, I don't know where the stock will go to during that period.

 

[dmtransport841]

I agree, that was amazing and original!

That was the best thing about it. Even I could've stayed for hours just playing about with it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Nov 2025 ==

This is a link to the current programme, which takes the list of places and dates up to 24th March 2026.

There's still a gap of just over a week between the current visit to the West Somerset Railway and the next one at London Paddington. However, I don't know where the stock will go to during that period.

I've seen it parked at National Rail depot at Derby earlier this month (13th) so possibly there

 

[Buzby]

agree, that was amazing and original!

Sorry, but not original -rather dated actually! The first use I’ve seen of interactive projection overlays was at NTS Culloden (Battlefield) where the opposing forces moved around the battlefields, NTS Bannockburn (ditto) also at Preston’s Harris (but cannot remember what the display was - I went to see Wallace & Gromit!).

 

[50002Superb]

That was the best thing about it. Even I could've stayed for hours just playing about with it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Nov 2025 ==


I've seen it parked at National Rail depot at Derby earlier this month (13th) so possibly there

Interesting, didn’t know that happened

 

[50002Superb]

Does anyone know what headcode this uses please?

Trying to work out its moves between now and Christmas (Southampton->Victoria->Ribble).

 

[Vinyl_Lap]

Does anyone know what headcode this uses please?

Trying to work out its moves between now and Christmas (Southampton->Victoria->Ribble).

It used 3Z26 between Eastleigh East Yard and Southampton when it moved on Saturday night.

There is a movement between Southampton and Eastleigh tomorrow evening departing at 1952 with the headcode 3Z41 that I’m expecting to be the Inspiration Train. But I’m not 100% certain on that.

 

[amn]

It used 3Z26 between Eastleigh East Yard and Southampton when it moved on Saturday night.

There is a movement between Southampton and Eastleigh tomorrow evening departing at 1952 with the headcode 3Z41 that I’m expecting to be the Inspiration Train. But I’m not 100% certain on that.

That'll be it, then it's 3Z42 tomorrow evening to Victoria, then 3Z43 Victoria to York via Dudding Hill & the MML on the 20th.

 

[50002Superb]

3Z41 to Eastleigh

Realtime Trains | 3Z41 1952 Southampton Central to Eastleigh East Yard | 16/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Z41 1952 departure from Southampton Central to Eastleigh East Yard on 16/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2025 ==

3Z42 to Victoria

Realtime Trains | 3Z42 1749 Eastleigh East Yard to London Victoria | 17/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Z42 1749 departure from Eastleigh East Yard to London Victoria on 17/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Dec 2025 ==

3Z43 to York Thrall

Realtime Trains | 3Z43 1906 London Victoria to York Thrall Europa | 20/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 3Z43 1906 departure from London Victoria to York Thrall Europa on 20/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Medicy]

New dates announced including Bognor Regis station, Lewes station, South Devon Railway, Bristol Temple Meads station, West Somerset Railway and Newquay station.

 

[adc82140]

Visited last Sunday at Salisbury. Very worthwhile, enthusiastic people running it.

 

[UP13]

Does anybody know what time it is departing Kingston today? Struggling to find on Realtime Trains.

 

[CR165022]

Does anybody know what time it is departing Kingston today? Struggling to find on Realtime Trains.

Realtime Trains | 3Z26 1849 Kingston to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf | 26/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Z26 1849 departure from Kingston to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf on 26/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[TFT YouTube]

Visited last Sunday at Salisbury. Very worthwhile, enthusiastic people running it.

I went on the Saturday, very good, only complaint I'd add would be the bus provided (901, HF69CHL) was way too small for the amount of people aboard at one point.

 

[UP13]

Realtime Trains | 3Z26 1849 Kingston to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf | 26/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Z26 1849 departure from Kingston to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf on 26/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Cheers.

I managed to see it at Strawberry Hill. It was quite the sight.

 

[Milo's Trains]

Depends on what types of Swing Links are used on those coaches I assume.

Sorry, this has always wondered me, Why do they need different swing links?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Sorry, this has always wondered me, Why do they need different swing links?

Mark 3s come in Short and Long Swink Link variants, and the LSL ones are marked accordingly at vehicle ends.

Those with Long Swing Links aren't permitted to operate over the third rail network because of a risk of causing a short circuit.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

What do you think they will do with it when the tour (eventually) comes to a end?

 

[adc82140]

What do you think they will do with it when the tour (eventually) comes to a end?

It'd be nice if they parked it up somewhere like Shildon and integrated it into the museum complex.

 

[Scotrail344Lad]

Indeed

 

[43096]

Mark 3s come in Short and Long Swink Link variants, and the LSL ones are marked accordingly at vehicle ends.

Ha ha ha ha. Never, ever believe the vehicle ends because you cannot guarantee that the markings have been updated when the vehicle has a bogie change. The only sure way is a physical check of the bogies.

Those with Long Swing Links aren't permitted to operate over the third rail network because of a risk of causing a short circuit.

It’s pretty much a theoretical risk - it’s certain locations, with a vehicle with fully deflated airbag and crush loaded.

 

[50002Superb]

It’s not moved this morning due to “lack of train crew”

 

[Milo's Trains]

Mark 3s come in Short and Long Swink Link variants, and the LSL ones are marked accordingly at vehicle ends.

Those with Long Swing Links aren't permitted to operate over the third rail network because of a risk of causing a short circuit.

I take it the longer ones would hit the 3rd rail or get too close?

 

[trainmania100]

Just seen this is at Lewes one of my locals, from today Thursday until Saturday 4am. With all the kids at school, what is the point if its not hanging around for the weekend? I thought the idea was to inspire children into getting into the railway but if they're finishing school at 3.00-3.30, dinner bath and bed, how is anyone supposed to take advantage of this?

Understand it obviously has to make the most of the time it's around but 2 weekdays both when children are at school, doesn't seem practical does it?

 

[Milo's Trains]

It’s not moved this morning due to “lack of train crew”

View attachment 199296

It failed to move as the staff didn't know how to "set up the coaches" it moved the next day at 07:00 I believe.

 

[50002Superb]

It failed to move as the staff didn't know how to "set up the coaches" it moved the next day at 07:00 I believe.

I was just quoting RTT

 

[kje7812]

Announced as returning to the Severn Valley for the May half term (23rd-31st May).