Key Points
- Local rail operator c2c Railway, supported by the Madam Mayor of Havering, officially welcomed and opened the Inspiration train at Upminster station on 26 January 2026.
- The launch ceremony involved c2c, the Madam Mayor of Havering, and Network Rail, marking a special event at Upminster station.
- Inspiration is an exhibition train celebrating ‘Railway 200’, the bicentenary of the modern railway era, which began in September 1825 with George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 carrying passengers between Shildon and Stockton-on-Tees.
- The train educates and engages younger generations on railway history and its ongoing role in shaping society and communities.
- c2c’s Operations & Safety Director, Stuart Browning, spoke at the launch, noting the honour of hosting Inspiration at Upminster.
- Inspiration has visited major UK locations including Birmingham, Margate, Norwich, York, Darlington, and key London stations prior to Upminster.
- The train remains on platform 1a at Upminster from 26 to 30 January 2026.
- Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, highlighted the arrival in Upminster as the 32nd stop on a 60-stop tour and thanked c2c for hosting.
- Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Anglia Railway, thanked teams from the National Railway Museum, Railway 200, Network Rail, and c2c, and praised the four themed zones covering railway firsts, engineering breakthroughs, future industry, and careers.
- Special thanks were given to the Madam Mayor of Havering for her involvement in the launch.
- Tickets can be booked via the Railway 200 website; the train is free, family-friendly, and co-curated by the National Railway Museum and Railway 200.
- Inspiration features hands-on exhibits, stories of railway firsts, science and engineering challenges, and career information.
- The Madam Mayor of Havering is Councillor Sue Ospreay, elected for the 2025/2026 municipal year.
- Over 60,000 people have visited Inspiration so far, with high praise from visitors like Richard Jones who called it “fantastic”.
- c2c services transferred to public ownership under DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd) on 20 July 2025.
Upminster, Havering (East London Times) January 27, 2026 – Local rail operator c2c Railway, alongside the Madam Mayor of Havering and Network Rail, officially welcomed the iconic Inspiration exhibition train to Upminster station today at a special launch ceremony. This event marks a significant moment in the ‘Railway 200’ celebrations, honouring 200 years of the modern railway since George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 first carried passengers in 1825. The train, stationed on platform 1a until 30 January, offers free public access to interactive exhibits aimed at inspiring the next generation about railways’ past, present, and future.
What is the Inspiration Train?
The Inspiration train is a specially created exhibition train touring Britain as part of Railway 200, the national campaign marking the bicentenary of the modern railway era. Co-curated by the National Railway Museum and Railway 200, it features four themed zones that delve into railway firsts, scientific and engineering breakthroughs, the industry’s future, and diverse career opportunities.
Visitors can expect hands-on engineering challenges, fascinating facts, and memorabilia from early days like LTS Rail through to contemporary operators such as c2c.
As reported in the c2c press release dated 26 January 2026, Inspiration provides a unique opportunity to educate and engage younger generations on the history of the railways and the important role it has and continues to play in shaping and supporting society and the communities we live in. The train does not carry passengers between stops but hosts booked visits from 10am to 5pm, lasting up to an hour, with accessibility features in place.
Who Attended the Upminster Launch Ceremony?
The launch at Upminster station brought together key figures from the rail industry and local government. Prominent attendees included the Madam Mayor of Havering, Councillor Sue Ospreay, who was elected Mayor for the 2025/2026 year on 21 May 2025 following the Annual Council meeting. She participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside c2c’s Operations & Safety Director, Stuart Browning, and Jamie Burles, Managing Director of Anglia Railway.
Images from the event, as shared by c2c, show the Madam Mayor touring the train and joining dignitaries for the official opening. The Mayoress of Havering was also present during the proceedings. Network Rail supported the welcome, underscoring the collaborative effort across the sector.
What Did Key Speakers Say at the Event?
Speakers at the launch emphasised the train’s educational value and c2c’s pride in hosting it. As reported by Stuart Browning, c2c’s Operations & Safety Director, in the official press release:
“c2c is extremely honoured and privileged to be hosting Inspiration here at Upminster this week. We look forward to sharing the many historical and fascinating stories of our railway, from the early days with LTS rail, right through until c2c, with the hundreds of schools and thousands of public visitors who have booked to visit us.”
Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, stated:
“Inspiration has arrived in Upminster, and we can’t wait to welcome the local community aboard. This is the 32nd stop on Inspiration’s 60-stop tour of Britain, and it’s already shaping up to be a highlight, so thank you to c2c Railway for hosting us. If you love amazing stories, hands-on exhibits and fascinating facts, make sure to get to Upminster station this week!”
Jamie Burles, Managing Director, Anglia Railway, added:
“I would like to thank the teams at the National Railway Museum, Railway 200, Network Rail and c2c who have made the Inspiration tour and its visit to Upminster possible – it’s a fantastic way to celebrate and showcase our amazing industry. There are lots of fun and interesting things to see and do across the four themed zones on Inspiration, including a look at ‘Railway Firsts,’ scientific and engineering breakthroughs, the future of our industry, and information on the wide range of careers and employment opportunities available. Finally, I would like to pay special thanks to Madam Mayor of Havering for kindly giving up her time to help with the official launch proceedings.”
Earlier, in a c2c preview on 20 January 2026, Stuart Browning reiterated:
“c2c is delighted to be welcoming Inspiration to Upminster station next week, and we look forward to sharing the many historical and fascinating stories of our railway and route with visitors. Through a range of presentations, memorabilia, artefacts, pictures, promotional materials and historic records, all available to see on the special four-carriage train, Inspiration will tell our story from the days of LTS Rail through to c2c.”
Where Has the Inspiration Train Visited Before Upminster?
Inspiration has toured extensively across the UK prior to its Upminster stop. According to the c2c release, it has already visited Birmingham, Margate, Norwich, York, Darlington, and key London stations. Broader schedules confirm earlier stops such as Kidderminster (Severn Valley Railway, 27 June – 6 July 2025), Birmingham Moor Street (8–10 July 2025), London Euston (12–15 July 2025), London Waterloo (18–19 July 2025), Bluebell Railway (23–29 July 2025), and many more including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Southampton.
The full tour spans from mid-2025 to summer 2026, with Upminster as part of Phase 3 (January–June 2026). Recent 2026 stops include Southport (10–13 January), Crewe (15–19 January), East Lancashire Railway (21–24 January), and post-Upminster at further sites. Over 60,000 visitors have experienced it, with glowing reviews; for instance, Richard Jones said after visiting with his nephews in Llandudno:
How Can the Public Visit the Train at Upminster?
The train is open to the public from 26 to 30 January 2026 on platform 1a at Upminster station, with visits structured in 15-minute intervals from 10am to 5pm. Bookings are available via the Railway 200 website, and as of 19 January 2026, a few tickets remained. It is free and family-friendly, though a virtual tour option exists for those unable to attend in person.
c2c encourages schools and the public to book, noting hundreds of school visits anticipated. Arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your slot with tickets ready for check-in to ensure a smooth experience. Social media posts from c2c on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X confirm the welcome and urge visits.
What is the Historical Context of Railway 200?
Railway 200 commemorates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, starting with the 1825 journey of Locomotion No. 1 from Shildon to Stockton-on-Tees. Inspiration brings this history alive through exhibits on innovations, societal impact, and future prospects. Local previews, such as in The Havering Daily on 25 November 2025, announced the Upminster visit as a free, family-friendly highlight.
Note that c2c operations transferred to public ownership under DFTO on 20 July 2025, aligning with broader industry changes. This event not only celebrates heritage but also promotes rail careers and engineering to youth in Havering and beyond.
