RAIL passengers will soon be able to take a peek behind the scenes at some of London's busiest train stations.
As part of Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking two centuries of train travel in the UK, Network Rail is running exclusive tours of London Waterloo, London Victoria and London Bridge stations.
Railway historian Rachel Kolsky will lead small groups of around 15 people on two-hour tours, offering glimpses into hidden areas of each station.
Tours of London Waterloo, the UK's third busiest train station, will explore seven areas, including the London Necropolis Railway dubbed the ‘Station of the Dead'.
From 1854 until 1941, services transported approximately 2,000 bodies a year between Waterloo Station and Brookwood Cemetery.
Visitors will also learn about the station's wartime role and its use as a filming location.
Other highlights include exploring luxury restaurants and contemporary art.
Gerry Kitchener, Head of Managed Stations for the Wessex Route, said: “London Waterloo is steeped in history, and a glimpse of this is available in the old international terminal with a series of vinyl plaques.
“This tour will expand on that snapshot of its 177-year history, providing an inspirational tale of how the railway grew and adapted over its lifetime, including a look at how Waterloo was once the grand gateway into Great Britain for visitors from the continent, offering them their first impression of the country when Eurostar served this station.”
Brits can also book tours of London Victoria, where they'll learn more about the station's glamorous past thanks to its ties to the well-known Orient Express.
The tour also intertwines stories linked to World War One, books and a luxury hotel.
Tours of London Bridge will also be taking place to mark 200 years of train travel in the UK.
The tours last two hours and cost £25 per person, with just 15 people on each tour.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Rail enthusiasts who don't live in London can take part in other celebrations marking 200 years of train travel.
One of those is Inspiration, a unique train that will call at 60 different train stations later this year.
The train, which is currently being kitted out, will sport an eye-catching livery, and it feature three exhibitions, including Railway Firsts, Wonderlab on Wheels and Your RailwayFuture.
While passengers won't be able to travel on the three-carriage train, they will be able to explore each of the exhibits on theunique train.
The train will kick off its year-long tour at Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, in July.
Earlier this year, Sun Travel looked back on200 years of train travel in the UKfrom heap seats in roofless ‘cattle trucks’ to 6-course meals in First Class.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Meanwhile, this UK train station is set to open a huge rooftop pool and garden.
And this is the largest train station in the world.
