Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby is opening its doors to the public for the first time in nearly 50 years as it hosts The Greatest Gathering, the world’s largest display of historic and modern trains.
The three-day sold-out charity event is expected to attract almost 40,000 attendees and marks a major highlight in the UK’s Railway 200 celebrations — a nationwide programme commemorating the bicentenary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.
The Greatest Gathering: A once-in-a-generation event
More than 140 railway vehicles are on display across Alstom’s 90-acre site, which is also the UK’s only train factory that designs, builds, and tests trains for domestic and export markets. Historic locomotives will appear alongside the latest rolling stock, with exhibits ranging from the 200-year-old Locomotion No. 1 to the Derby-built Class 720 Aventra.
“The Greatest Gathering is a once-in-a-generation celebration of Britain’s railway heritage and future,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom. “It simply wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary support of so many.”
Highlights across the weekend
Among the key attractions are:
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A steam locomotive cavalcade, including Flying Scotsman, Furness Railway No. 20, and Midland Railway No. 1000
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High-speed exhibits such as the Class 390 Pendolino Progress, Eurostar power car 3999, and Class 43 HSTs
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Passenger rides aboard steam, diesel, and electric trains, including the Class 345 Aventra on Alstom’s 1.4 km test track
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A daily programme of talks, film screenings and Q&As in the Mobility Theatre, including the UK premiere of An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine
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A STEM Hub to promote science and engineering careers
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A Model Railway Village, featuring layouts by Pete Waterman and leading model manufacturers
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The Railway 200 exhibition train, curated with the National Railway Museum
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Family entertainment, street food, music and fairground attractions
Industry-wide collaboration
Lord Peter Hendy, UK Rail Minister, praised the scale and ambition of the event:
“The Greatest Gathering does so on a huge scale, and promises to enter the history books as the largest exhibition of railway equipment ever staged in the UK.”
He added:
“I very much hope the thousands of you who were fortunate enough to secure tickets enjoy the display, which aims to really highlight the railway of the past, present and future.”
Celebrating rail’s legacy and future
Opened in 1876, Litchurch Lane Works is one of the world’s largest train manufacturing sites. Derby has been building trains since 1839 and was selected in 2022 as the home of Great British Railways.
French Ambassador to the UK, Hélène Duchêne, offered her congratulations:
“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.”
She noted the alignment between UK and French priorities for sustainable rail, adding:
“Our two countries committed to deepening their cooperation to foster the growth of Cross-Channel rail traffic.”
Proceeds go to charity
All profits from The Greatest Gathering will be donated to five charity partners: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission, and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, along with railway heritage organisations.
A full list of exhibits is available at www.alstom.com/greatest-gathering.
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