Train-maker marks anniversary celebrations with special train journey

Train-maker Alstom has marked a major milestone in Anglo-Scottish rail history with a special passenger train journey from its Derby site to Glasgow.

As part of the wider Polmadie 150 event, commemorating the 150th anniversary of Alstom’s Glasgow Traincare Centre, a special charter train recently departed its Litchurch Lane Works to the Glasgow depot.

The landmark journey, which was organised by the Branch Line Society, gave hundreds of rail enthusiasts a rare opportunity to travel across depot tracks typically closed to the public.

The train was hauled by two Derby-designed RailAdventure Class 43 locomotives and featured Litchurch Lane-built coaches.

After departing Litchurch Lane the rail tour also called at Derby railway station, and then Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Lancaster, Motherwell and Glasgow Central, on its journey to Polmadie Depot.

The unit then returned passengers to Derby, which celebrates its own 150th birthday in 2026 – the following day.

The charter to Polmadie was part of Alstom’s broader celebrations for Railway 200, the bicentenary of the modern railway.

Earlier this year, Litchurch Lane hosted The Greatest Gathering, the world’s largest-ever assembly of historic and modern trains, welcoming over 40,000 visitors and raising thousands for charity.

All proceeds from the Polmadie 150 charter will support Beatson Cancer Charity and the Railway Children’s Glasgow Project.

Fundraising efforts were further helped by Network Rail, who waived track access charges for the charter.