A special exhibition train attracted more than 1,000 visitors during a two-day stop at a Kent station.
The event took place in Margate on Sunday and Monday, offering a look at the past, present and future of Britain’s railway as part of the government-backed Railway 200 campaign.
Steve White, managing director of Southeastern, said: “Since 1846, the railway has played an important role in the Thanet community, supporting access to employment, education and leisure.
“We are now the first in a new era of integrated railways, under public ownership, working to support thriving communities through increased access to opportunities.
“Through targeted recruitment to enable social mobility, and the development of our people through a huge apprenticeship programme recently ranked 24 in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025, we are making a difference.
“Looking to the future, we want to attract a whole new generation of talent to consider a career in the railway.
“On board Inspiration, visitors are seeing how young people are already building exciting careers in rail, whether you’re interested in cyber security, sustainability or piloting a drone.
“Not all careers on the railway are what you might expect.”
The event featured local attractions including Dreamland, the Turner Contemporary and the Crab Museum, as well as archaeological finds from the original South Eastern Railway construction in the 1840s.
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, added: “This special exhibition train is set to become a new, national visitor attraction.
“It will excite, enlighten, entertain and inspire them to take a fresh look at the railway, as part of its anniversary celebrations.”
The train, named Inspiration, will continue its tour at Horsted Keynes station on the Bluebell Railway from today until July 29.
Railway 200 is a series of events across the county aiming to celebrate, educate and inspire about Britain’s railway network coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in September 1825.
