Alstom presents: The Greatest Gathering
As part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations, Alstom’s historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works was front and centre, hosting the world's largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains and rail-related exhibits – The Greatest Gathering – between Friday 1 and Sunday 3 August.
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This three-day festival featured more than 140 iconic vehicles from the past, present and future of the railways, and marked the first time in almost 50 years that the train factory opened to the general public.
Derby Litchurch Lane is one of the world’s largest rolling stock factories, and the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds and tests trains for domestic and export markets. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876 and the city of Derby has been building trains continually since 1839. In 2022, Derby was chosen by the Government as the home of Great British Railways following a vote by the public between contender cities.
What is Railway 200?
The Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) opened on September 27, 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas, and ultimately transforming the world. Railway 200 is a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway and inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail.
The first locomotive to run on the S&DR – Locomotion No. 1 – was built by the Newcastle upon Tyne-based Robert Stephenson and Company. It was the first company in the world created specifically to build railway engines and later manufactured several of the first locomotives for other countries. Through successive mergers, Robert Stephenson and Company became part of Alstom in 1989, giving the company a direct link to the dawn of the railways and making it the custodian of a unique legacy.
Alstom-owned Nomad Digital has been headquartered in Newcastle for over two decades and is a world-leader in passenger and fleet management solutions.
Although born in Great Britain, rail quickly spread across the globe. Railway 200 will showcase how the railway shaped and continues to shape our lives. A wide variety of activities and events – across the UK and around the world – are being planned to celebrate rail’s remarkable past, its role today and its importance to a sustainable future.
"This is it! The Greatest Gathering!" wrapping on a Class 50 No. 50044 Exeter
The Greatest Gathering official pin
Visitors ready to board the Class 390 Pendolino at the Crewe train station
Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino train passing by the station on the way to the event
The arrival of the Class 390 Pride Pendolino to Derby from Crewe
Guests arriving on the Class 390 Pendolino to Alstom's Derby site
Rob Whyte, Alstom's Managing Director for the UK & Ireland commencing the Opening Ceremony for The Greatest Gathering
Team Alstom volunteers welcoming guests to The Greatest Gathering's Opening Ceremony
Locomotion No. 1 front and centre for the Opening Ceremony
Choir performing at the Opening Ceremony of The Greatest Gathering
Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, Ambassador of France to the United Kingdom, and Baggy Shanker, Member of Parliament for Derby South at the Opening Ceremony
A special ride on the Elizabeth Line at Derby's Test Track
Guests and VIPs officially opening The Greatest Gathering in Derby
Volunteers ready to start Day 1 of The Greatest Gathering
Guests arriving to The Greatest Gathering
The first day of The Greatest Gathering open to visitors
Live from the Mobility Theatre at The Greatest Gathering to welcome Pete Waterman
Lunch with Pete Waterman, legendary music producer, rail enthusiast and renowned modeller, at the Mobility Theatre
Titan the Robot, the ultimate family entertainment show in the Entertainment Zone
The world's first railway Pride parade, featuring representatives from LGBTQ+ employee resource groups from across the industry
Behind the scenes of getting ready for the Pride parade
Pride parade passing by the Class 390 Pendolino in its Pride livery
Organizer and volunteer at The Greatest Gathering
Visitors enjoying festivities in the Entertainment Zone
Band playing in G shop
Former head of ScotRail, Intercity, and Network SouthEast, Chris Green OBE, giving a talk in the Mobility Theatre
55009 plaque unveiling ceremony
90018 naming ceremony
Hornby Model Railways stand in G Shop
Ian Castledine with his collection
Ken Davies with Ken Davies
Queue to visit Lady Penelope
Team Alstom volunteers at The Greatest Gathering
Richard Brown OBE book signing
Tim Dunn revealing 'Sir Nigel Gresley' name on a 5 inch gauge LNER A4
Michael Portillo and artist Tim O'Brien
Prince, the oldest operating narrow-gauge locomotive in the world
The Avanti West Coast team with 57307
The Greatest Gathering event organisation team
Heritage bus lineup
The Greatest Gathering teddy bear
See which exhibits appeared at The Greatest Gathering
Steam locomotives
Diesel locomotives
Electric locomotives
Multiple units
Carriages and wagons
Narrow gauge and miniature
Other exhibits
Relive The Greatest Gathering's launch event on 30 January 2025