A touring exhibition train celebrating 200 years of Britain's railways will arrive at Crewe station this January, with free public access over five days.

The special train, called Inspiration, will be stationed at Crewe from Thursday 15 to Monday 19 January.

The visit forms part of the national Railway 200 programme marking the bicentenary of the modern railway.

Co-curated by Railway 200 and the National Railway Museum, Inspiration operates as a mobile museum, spread across four carriages.

The exhibition is free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance and shown at Crewe Station on arrival. Opening times are 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm (Photo: Rail 200).

Crewe is the first stop in Cheshire and the 30th location on the train's UK-wide tour, which began in 2025 and will continue until June 2026.

The visit is being hosted by Avanti West Coast, which manages Crewe station.

Local rail organisations including Alstom and Balfour Beatty will be present during the event to highlight career opportunities and Crewe's long-standing role as a railway town.

Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Crewe, Taryn Banks, told Nub News: "With Crewe having a proud railway heritage and being a key hub on the West Coast Main Line, it's great to be hosting this special train as part of its tour.

"We are joining local organisations to celebrate 200 years of the railways and look to the future, showcasing its importance in Crewe and across the UK.

"The train's visit promises to be an exciting event, and we cannot wait to welcome people onboard. We hope to inspire a passion for rail among the next generation, so our railways continue to thrive for years to come."

Rail enthusiast and record producer, Pete Waterman, is due to attend on Saturday 17 January, alongside community groups hosting stalls onboard.

Co-curated by Railway 200 and the National Railway Museum, Inspiration operates as a mobile museum, spread across four carriages (Photo: Rail 200).

Programme Manager for Railway 200, Emma Roberts, said: "Inspiration is a fun, free and fascinating way to learn about the past, present and future of rail.

"There is something for everyone, whether you're a rail enthusiast or simply curious about a British innovation that changed the world.

"We are excited to bring Inspiration to Crewe, a town with a rich railway history, and we look forward to welcoming people aboard."

The exhibition is free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance and shown at Crewe Station on arrival. Opening times are 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.

READ MORE: Property of the Week: Thoughtfully designed bungalow to rent in Crewe.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Crewe Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.