40,000 flock to Derby for world’s largest railway festival

Train-maker Alstom has been reflecting on the success of The Greatest Gathering – the world’s largest railway festival – which it hosted at its Derby site over the weekend.

Over three days, around 40,000 people from around the globe descended on the firm’s historic Litchurch Lane Works for the sell-out event, which celebrated 200 years of the modern railway.

They came to see more than 140 rail vehicles from past, present and future at Alstom’s 90-acre Derby site, while enjoying a festival atmosphere.

Rob Whyte, Alstom’s managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: “The Greatest Gathering was 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.

“Together, we 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.”

John Forkin, managing director at Marketing Derby, who attended the event, said: “What I saw on my visit was a phenomenal world-class event, where Derby was the focus of 200 years of railway history.

“The city had a tremendous buzz and its hotels, together with many restaurants and pubs, were packed all weekend.

“The team at Alstom did an amazing job in pulling it all together and delivering an exceptional customer experience and the memory of that one weekend will last for decades.”

The Greatest Gathering formed part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway 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.

Highlights across The Greatest Gathering weekend included a cavalcade of famous steam locomotives and modern high-speed trains.

Visitors got the chance to ride on steam, diesel and electric-hauled trains along Litchurch Lane’s 1.4 km-long test track.

Its workshops hosted talks and performances, a family-friendly STEM Hub and a model railway village.

And fairground attractions, family entertainment, street food and live music added to the festival feel.

Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works 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.

Lord Peter Hendy, UK Rail Minister, said: “In this year of Railway 200 celebrations many imaginative and innovative events are being staged to mark this key anniversary in the history of railways. The Greatest Gathering did so on a huge scale.

“The whole rail industry came together to back the vision of the organising team to create something truly special, which is wonderful to see as we move forward into the new future with the creation of Great British Railways.”

Her Excellency Madame Hélène Duchêne, French Ambassador to the UK, who visited the event, said: “I would like to warmly congratulate the team at Alstom as they celebrate 200 years of railway history in Derby, and look forward to a bright future of designing and building the next generation of trains, and supporting the decarbonisation of transport for decades to come.

“Alstom Derby’s key contribution to delivering major transport projects across the UK shows how bilateral investment can be a driver for growth, innovation and improved connections between people.”

All profits from The Greatest Gathering will be split between Railway 200’s five chosen charities – Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO – and railway heritage partners.