{"id":327836,"date":"2026-01-26T12:52:56","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T12:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.c2c-online.co.uk\/?p=327836"},"modified":"2026-01-26T12:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T12:53:10","slug":"c2c-and-the-madam-mayor-of-havering-welcome-the-inspiration-train-to-upminster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.c2c-online.co.uk\/media-centre\/latest-news\/c2c-and-the-madam-mayor-of-havering-welcome-the-inspiration-train-to-upminster\/","title":{"rendered":"c2c and the Madam Mayor of Havering welcome the Inspiration train to Upminster"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Local rail operator c2c Railway, supported by Madam Mayor of Havering, have today officially welcomed and opened the Inspiration train at Upminster station.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Earlier today, c2c,\u00a0the\u00a0Madam Mayor of Havering and Network Rail officially welcomed the\u00a0industry\u2019s iconic\u00a0Inspiration train to Upminster\u00a0station\u00a0at a special launch ceremony.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Inspiration is an exhibition train created to celebrate \u2018Railway 200,\u2019 the bicentenary of the modern railway era which began in September 1825 when George Stephenson\u2019s Locomotion No. 1 carried passengers between Shildon and Stockton-on-Tees.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Inspiration\u00a0provides\u00a0a\u00a0unique\u00a0opportunity to educate and engage with younger generations\u00a0on\u00a0the history of\u00a0the\u00a0railways, and the\u00a0important role\u00a0it has\u00a0and continues\u00a0to play in shaping and supporting society and the communities we live\u00a0in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Speaking at the launch event, c2c\u2019s Operations & Safety Director,\u00a0<\/span>Stuart Browning<\/span>, said:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cc2c\u00a0is\u00a0extremely honoured and privileged to be hosting Inspiration here at Upminster this week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe 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.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Inspiration,\u00a0which has already\u00a0visited\u00a0a number of\u00a0major towns and cities\u00a0across the UK, including Birmingham, Margate, Norwich, York,\u00a0Darlington\u00a0and key London stations,\u00a0will\u00a0remain on\u00a0platform 1a at Upminster\u00a0during the week\u00a026 – 30 January.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Emma Roberts<\/span>, Programme Manager for Railway 200, said:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cInspiration\u202fhas arrived in Upminster, and we\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0wait to welcome the local community aboard.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThis is the 32<\/span>nd<\/span>\u00a0stop on\u202fInspiration\u2019s 60-stop tour of Britain, and\u00a0it’s\u00a0already shaping up to be a highlight, so thank you to c2c Railway\u00a0for hosting us.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cIf you love amazing stories, hands-on exhibits and fascinating facts, make sure to get to Upminster station this week!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Jamie Burles<\/span>, Managing Director, Anglia Railway, added:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI would like to\u00a0thank\u00a0the teams at the National Railway Museum, Railway 200, Network Rail and c2c who have\u00a0made the\u00a0Inspiration tour and its visit to Upminster possible\u00a0–\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a fantastic way to celebrate and\u00a0showcase\u00a0our amazing industry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThere are lots of fun and interesting things to see and do across the four themed zones on Inspiration, including a look at \u2018Railway Firsts,\u2019 scientific and engineering breakthroughs, the future of our industry, and information on the wide range of careers and employment opportunities available.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cFinally,\u00a0I would\u00a0like to pay special thanks to\u00a0Madam Mayor of Havering\u00a0for\u00a0kindly giving\u00a0up her time to\u00a0help\u00a0with the official launch proceedings.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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To find out more\u00a0about Inspiration\u00a0and\u00a0to\u00a0book\u00a0tickets\u00a0visit the\u202f<\/span>Railway 200 website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n