Local children and families can learn how the railways helped shape Blackpool into the seaside destination it is today when a free interactive exhibition arrives at Blackpool North this May.
The exhibition, called Inspiration, is housed inside a real train and has already proved a huge hit across the UK. It previously stopped in Blackpool to fully booked slots, and organisers are expecting tickets to go just as quickly this time around.
Curated by Railway 200 and the National Railway Museum, the train has been touring since 2025, marking 200 years since the birth of the modern railway – dating back to the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. The exhibition explores how this British invention transformed travel, economies and towns like Blackpool.
More than 75,000 people have visited so far, with many praising its mix of hands-on activities, historic artefacts and engaging storytelling. Around 9 in 10 visitors said they would recommend it.
The train arrives at Blackpool North station on Thursday 14 May and stays until Sunday 17 May – one of its final stops before the tour ends in June.
Inside, visitors can expect interactive exhibits, engineering challenges and plenty of stories from the past, present and future of the railway — including a look at the surprising range of careers available in the industry.
Local schools will be invited along for free guided tours, while families and visitors can book tickets independently.
The exhibition is part of the wider Railway 200 celebrations, which saw thousands of events take place across the UK, highlighting how the railways revolutionised travel, boosted tourism, supported the growth of sports leagues and even helped standardise time.
