Marcus' Model Railway Journey

The touring exhibition train Inspiration


More than 80,000 people have visited Inspiration, enjoying the interactive activities, engineering challenges and historical artefacts that it contains.

Visitors have included thousands of schoolchildren, who have taken part in bespoke tours, learning about the careers available to them as workers on the railway network.

The first tour dates for 2026 were announced in November last year, and further dates were announced in January.

Inspiration’s final tour stops are:

• East Somerset Railway:  Monday 1 June – Wednesday 3 June
• Hull:  Friday 5 June – Sunday 7 June
• Weardale Railway:  Monday 8 June – Sunday 14 June
• Rail Live (Long Marston):  Wednesday 17 June – Thursday 18 June (separate event registration required)
• Scarborough:  Saturday 20 June – Monday 22 June

The Inspiration exhibition train was co-curated with the National Railway Museum.

The train’s tour was supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook funded its attention-grabbing livery.

Enjoying the travelling exhibition train Inspiration


“It’s been incredible seeing the fantastic welcome Inspiration gets in towns and cities all over Britain.

“Not only has the railway family supported the train every step of the way, but tens of thousands of new people have discovered how rail travel changed our world. Many visitors don’t regularly use the railway, some have never been on a train, so it’s been really special to share the story of rail and how it’s shaped our lives.

“Thank you to everyone who has visited, volunteered or helped organise this remarkable journey. We hope to see some of you at the final stop in Scarborough!”

Emma Roberts, Railway 200 Programme Manager

31 Mar 2026

Transport for Wales launches bus stop review across South West Wales​

2025 - Jack Abbott - TFW Carmarthen


Transport for Wales (TfW) has begun a review of over 6,000 bus stops across South West Wales as the region prepares for bus franchising.

South West Wales will be the first region in Wales to roll out bus franchising under the Bus Services (Wales) Act 2026.

The review represents a step forward in delivering a modern, integrated and accessible bus network for passengers across the region.

Commissioned by TfW and delivered in partnership with Welsh Government, Local Authorities and Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs), the review will assess accessibility features, customer information and the physical condition of marked and unmarked stops across the region. Externiture Ltd have been appointed to deliver the review.

While Local Authorities remain responsible for the bus stop infrastructure, the review will provide robust data, including an assessment of existing NaPTAN records to inform future investment and improvements across the region.

The project supports the Welsh Government’s Travel for All ambitions and TfW’s One Network, One Timetable, One Ticket vision to create a more integrated, reliable and sustainable bus network.

It contributes to the wider goals of Llwybr Newydd and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Ken Skates, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, said: “Millions of bus journeys are taken by people across Wales every year and this network is an integral part of our public transport system.

“This review will play an important role in shaping improvements. It will give us a more accurate understanding of what exists today, so we can understand how to improve accessibility, safety and consistency for bus users in the coming years."

“By working with Transport for Wales and our local partners, we’ll strengthen the foundations to create a modern, inclusive transport network that works for everyone.”

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales, said: “This work will enable us to make better decisions for passengers. By understanding the condition of our bus stops, we can improve customer information, strengthen accessibility and move towards a more integrated, reliable bus network for communities across South West Wales.”

The survey is expected to be completed by winter 2026.

---

The current working schedule is to have franchising completed by 2030.

Under the Bus Services (Wales) Act 2026, responsibility for customer information transfers from Local Authorities (LAs) to Welsh Ministers and therefore to TfW.

31st March, 2026

Norfolk rail depot to hold an Open Day​

Crown Point depot Open Day


Greater Anglia’s Crown Point depot at Norwich is holding a public open day on Saturday, 6th June.

It has been over 30 years since the last time that the public could take a look behind the scenes at the depot, and it is expected to be extremely popular.

Even better, there will be no admission charge, and tickets can be applied for now.

The depot will be open to visitors from 10 am to 4 pm, when there will be the chance to explore the depot and see where Greater Anglia’s intercity and regional trains undergo maintenance and are prepared for service.


On display will be Greater Anglia’s Class 745 and Class 755 trains.

Class 745s are electric trains that operate intercity services between Norwich and London Liverpool Street, and the Stansted Express between London and Stansted Airport, whilst Class 755 trains are bi-mode units used on regional services throughout the East of England.

As well as viewing the trains, there will be demonstrations of engineering techniques, a display of railway heritage exhibits, and visitors will be able to meet the people who work at the depot to keep the trains running every day.

Crown Point depot was opened in 1982, and Greater Anglia now operates it in partnership with Stadler.

The depot is vital in maintaining train services across the region, and each day it fuels up to 27 trains and refills their sand dispensers.


The Open Day has been organised as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations.

This is a nationwide celebration of 200 years since the beginning of the modern railway, and also celebrates the railway’s role in connecting communities and supporting local economies.

It is expected that there will be a great demand for tickets for the event, which are free but must be booked in advance.

Further information about the open day, as well as details of how to book tickets, travel, accessibility, and safety information, and are on the dedicated Open Day web page at https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/crown-point-depot-open-day.


Crown Point depot is currently undergoing a major upgrade.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the region to Crown Point for what promises to be a fantastic day. “


“This is a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of a working depot and see first-hand the work that goes into keeping our trains running safely and reliably every day, connecting communities across East Anglia with each other and with London, and enabling longer journeys right across the UK rail network. We hope visitors of all ages will enjoy learning more about the railway and meeting the people who make it happen.”

Helen Dickerson, Depot Yard Manager at Crown Point