World’s largest railway festival opens at Alstom’s UK train factory
Almost 40,000 people will get to see more than 140 rail vehicles across Alstom’s 90-acre site in Derby.
www.alstom.com
Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will welcome almost 40,000 railfans from around the globe this weekend, as its Derby Litchurch Lane Works in the UK hosts the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains – The Greatest Gathering.
Alstom’s three-day sold-out charity extravaganza forms part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 – and a journey that gave birth to the modern railway.
“Alstom’s roots in the UK go right back to 1825, when Locomotion No. 1 made its historic journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Through successive mergers the locomotive’s builder – Robert Stephenson and Company – became part of Alstom in 1989 and we are beyond proud to carry that legacy of ingenuity forward,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
He added: “The Greatest Gathering is a once-in-a-generation celebration of Britain’s railway heritage and future, and it simply wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary support of so many. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every Alstom colleague, organisation, rail operator and exhibitor who has helped bring our vision spectacularly to life. Together, we’ve created the world’s largest gathering of historic and modern railway vehicles, and a truly unforgettable experience for tens of thousands of visitors, alongside those watching online at home.”
The Greatest Gathering takes place on Friday 1, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2025 at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Site in Derby. Britain’s biggest and oldest remaining train factory will be home to more than 140 rolling stock exhibits from the past, present and future of the railways, with the site itself opening to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
Highlights across the weekend will include:
. A cavalcade of steam locomotives: The 200-year-old Locomotion No. 1 will be joined by the UK’s oldest operating standard gauge engine, Furness Railway No. 20, Derby-built Midland Railway 1000 Class No. 1000 and the world-famous Flying Scotsman. Locomotion No. 1 will appear beside a Derby-built Alstom Class 720 Aventra train, placing one of the world’s oldest locomotives next to one of the UK’s newest at The Greatest Gathering
. A lineup of high-speed trains including Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolino Progress – the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train – which will appear alongside Eurostar power car 3999 and Derby-designed Class 43 High Speed Trains (HSTs)
. A host of trains debuting new names and liveries, including two Class 50 locomotives that will showcase striking wraps designed especially for The Greatest Gathering in partnership with Aura Brand Solutions
. Visitors will get the opportunity to ride on steam, diesel and electric-hauled trains, including a Class 345 Derby-built Alstom Aventra train along Litchurch Lane’s 1.4 km-long test track. Meanwhile, Prince, the world’s oldest operating narrow-gauge locomotive from 1863, will be carrying passengers throughout the jamboree
. Every day a packed timetable of talks and performances from famous faces and industry insiders will be taking place in the specially-constructed Mobility Theatre. The space will also host the UK premiere of feature-length documentary An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine on Saturday 2 August, which will be followed by a Q&A with its US-based filmmakers
At the heart of The Greatest Gathering, inside one of Litchurch Lane’s vast workshops, lies a vibrant and future-focused family-friendly zone: the STEM Hub. Designed to ignite curiosity and ambition among visitors, this interactive space showcases the power of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in shaping the future of rail and sustainable mobility
Another workshop on site hosts the Model Railway Village in partnership with Key Model World. From legendary music producer – and renowned railway modeller – Pete Waterman’s outstanding Making Tracks 3 in OO-gauge, to the biggest brands in model manufacturing, high quality layouts and model makers
Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, the Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration, will showcase rail’s impact over the last two centuries inside a series of redesigned Mark 3 carriages that were originally built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works
Finally, fairground attractions, family entertainment, street food and live music will also add to the festival feel
www.alstom.com
