A FREE exhibition inside a train packed with amazing stories and interactive fun is returning to the West Somerset Railway (WSR).

The train, named ‘Inspiration’ is part of the national Railway 200 celebration of the bicentenary of the modern railway.

It stayed at Bishops Lydeard Railway Station in November when 2,000 people visited, and is now returning later this year to stop at Minehead Station.

More than 60,000 people have explored the Railway 200 exhibition train on its 60-stop, year-long tour of Britain, with nine in 10 visitors saying they recommend it.

‘Inspiration’, which is touring until June, is co-curated with the National Railway Museum and uses rare artefacts and fascinating facts to explore how railways transformed the world.

It includes hands-on engineering challenges and a whistle-stop tour of interesting, and lesser-known, careers on the railways.

The train will be stopping in Minehead from March 30 to April 4.

Local schools will be invited for free, bespoke tours.

The Railway 200 Exhibition Train was launched at London Paddington Station to celebrate the bicentennary of the modern railway. This special train tells a story of the past, present and future and is called Inspiration. The train will travel around the UK throughout 2025 and will visit mainline and heritage railway stations.
Inside the touring 'Inspiration' exhibition train. (Jack Boskett Media Limited)

One person who visited the train when it was in Bishops Lydeard was Tara Jones Ulla, who said it was ‘brilliant’.

Ms Jones Ulla said: “It was so informative without being overwhelming, with lots of interactive and hands-on exhibits.

“I came away so happy.”

Other visitors described it as ‘unique’, ‘extremely interesting’, and ‘really well curated’.

Michael Wilson, who visited in London Paddington, said: “The whole thing was well thought out.

“The interactive exhibits were brilliant and my children loved it.”

WSR general manager Kerry Noble said: “We are very excited to have Inspiration, the Railway 200 exhibition train, back on the West Somerset Railway for 2026 after its successful visit back in 2025 in Bishops Lydeard.

“This opportunity will give residents and visitors to Minehead and the surrounding areas the chance to see the exhibition train on the outskirts of Exmoor.”