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.

Thank you for supporting our record-breaking event!

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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.

The Greatest Gathering
200 Years of Train Travel Since 1825

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. 

Learn more about Railway 200

See which exhibits appeared at The Greatest Gathering 

  • Class 23 D5910

    Class 23 D5910

    Built in 1962, Newton-le-Willows. Rebuilt in 2010, Chesterfield. Courtesy of The Baby Deltic Project

  • Class 26 No. 26007

    Class 26 No. 26007

    Built in 1958, Birmingham. Courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz

  • Class 31 No. 31108

    Class 31 No. 31108

    Built in 1959, Loughborough. Courtesy of A1A Locomotives Ltd

  • Class 33 No. 33012

    Class 33 No. 33012

    Built in 1960, Birmingham. Courtesy of 71A Locomotive Group

  • Class 37 D6700

    Class 37 D6700

    Legacy Alstom locomotive D6700 – the first-built Class 37 diesel – was manufactured in 1959 and remains operational. Courtesy of National Railway Museum and Heavy.

  • Class 40 No. 40013 Andania

    Class 40 No. 40013 Andania

    Built in 1959, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Shaun Wright (Andania Engineering)

  • Class 40 No. 40106 Atlantic Conveyor

    Class 40 No. 40106 Atlantic Conveyor

    Built in 1960, Darlington. Courtesy of Class 40 Preservation Society

  • Class 42 D821 Greyhound

    Class 42 D821 Greyhound

    Built in 1960, Swindon. Courtesy of Diesel Traction Group

  • Class 44 No. 44004 Great Gable

    Class 44 No. 44004 Great Gable

    Built in 1959, Derby. Courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company Ltd

  • Class 55 No. 55009 Alycidon

    Class 55 No. 55009 Alycidon

    Built in 1961, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society

  • Class 43 No. 43060

    Class 43 No. 43060

    Built in 1977, Crewe. Courtesy of 125 Group

  • Class 57/6 No. 57604 Pendennis Castle

    Class 57/6 No. 57604 Pendennis Castle

    Built in 1965, Loughborough. Courtesy of Great Western Railway

  • Motor Rail Simplex 0-4-0PM No. 1930 Ubique

    Motor Rail Simplex 0-4-0PM No. 1930 Ubique

    Built in 1919, Bedford. Courtesy of William Owen

  • Class 35 No. D7076

    Class 35 No. D7076

    Built in 1962, Manchester. Courtesy of Bury Hydraulic Group

  • Class 43

    Class 43

    Courtesy of Great Western Railway

  • Class 47 No. 47715 Rail Engineering Solutions - Quality Assured

    Class 47 No. 47715 Rail Engineering Solutions - Quality Assured

    Built in 1964, Loughborough. Courtesy of Rail Engineering Solutions

  • Class 50 No. 50033 Glorious

    Class 50 No. 50033 Glorious

    Built in 1968, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Class 50 Alliance

  • Class 50 No. 50035 Ark Royal

    Class 50 No. 50035 Ark Royal

    Built in 1968, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Class 50 Alliance

  • Class 50 No. 50044 Exeter

    Class 50 No. 50044 Exeter

    Built in 1968, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Class 50 Alliance

  • Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance

    Built in 1968. Diesel locomotive operated by GB Railfreight and owned by Class 50 Alliance Ltd, based at the Severn Valley Railway. ‘The Greatest Gathering’ headboard created by Newton Castings.

  • Class 52 No. D1015 Western Champion

    Class 52 No. D1015 Western Champion

    Built in 1963, Swindon. Courtesy of Diesel Traction Group

  • Class 52 No. D1062 Western Courier

    Class 52 No. D1062 Western Courier

    Built in 1963, Swindon. Courtesy of Western Locomotive Association

  • Class 55 No. D9015 Tulyar

    Class 55 No. D9015 Tulyar

    Built in 1961, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society

  • Class 55 No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier

    Class 55 No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier

    Built in 1961, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society

  • Class 56 No. 56301

    Class 56 No. 56301

    Built in 1978, Doncaster. Originally numbered 56045. Courtesy of DCRail and Cappagh Group

  • Class 37

    Class 37

    Courtesy of West Coast Railways

  • Class 37 No. 37508

    Class 37 No. 37508

    Built 1963, Newcastle upon Tyne. Courtesy of Loram

  • Class 43 No.43159

    Class 43 No.43159

    This is the world's fastest diesel-powered locomotive, achieving a speed record of 148mph (238km/h) in 1987. Built 1981, Crewe. Courtesy of 125 Group. It will be accompanied by four Mark 3 High Speed Train (HST) coaches, which were constructed at Derby Litchurch Lane Works between 1975 and 1988

  • Class 47

    Class 47

    Courtesy of West Coast Railways

  • Class 60 No. 60029

    Class 60 No. 60029

    Courtesy of DCRail and Cappagh Group

  • Class 66 No. 66004

    Class 66 No. 66004

    Built in 1998, Ontario, Canada. Courtesy of DB Cargo UK

  • Class 66 No. 66301

    Class 66 No. 66301

    Class 66 (66301) provided by GBRf and IIA-D gold biomass hopper provided by Drax Group.

  • Class 66 No. 66501 Spirit of ‘65

    Class 66 No. 66501 Spirit of ‘65

    Built in 1999, Ontario, Canada. Courtesy of Freightliner

  • Class 67 No. 67005 King's Messenger

    Class 67 No. 67005 King's Messenger

    Built in 2000, Spain. Courtesy of DB Cargo UK

  • Class 70 No. 70008

    Class 70 No. 70008

    Built in 2009, Pennsylvania, USA. Courtesy of Freightliner

  • Class 69 No. 69016 British Transport Police

    Class 69 No. 69016 British Transport Police

    Built in 1976, Doncaster. Rebuilt in 2025, Longport. Courtesy of GB Railfreight

  • Class 37 No. 37901

    Class 37 No. 37901

    Built in 1963, Newton-le-Willows. Courtesy of Europhoenix

  • Class 17 D8568

    Class 17 D8568

    Built in 1964, Burton upon Trent. Courtesy of Diesel Traction Group. Based out of Polmadie depot (today Alstom Glasgow Traincare Centre) from 1968 and withdrawn from commercial use in 1971.

  • Class 37 No. 37418 An Comunn Gàidhealach

    Class 37 No. 37418 An Comunn Gàidhealach

    Built in 1965, Netwon-le-Willows. Courtesy of Loram

  • Class 43s

    Class 43s

    Two power cars. Courtesy of RailAdventure

  • Class 46 No. 46045

    Class 46 No. 46045

    Built in 1962, Derby. Courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company Ltd

  • Class 45 No. 45118 The Royal Artilleryman

    Class 45 No. 45118 The Royal Artilleryman

    Built in 1962, Crewe. Courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd

  • Class 47 No. 47593 Galloway Princess

    Class 47 No. 47593 Galloway Princess

    Built in 1965, Loughborough. Courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd

  • Class 55 D9000 Royal Scots Grey

    Class 55 D9000 Royal Scots Grey

    Built in 1961, Netwon-le-Willows. Courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd

  • Class 57 No. 57307 Lady Penelope

    Class 57 No. 57307 Lady Penelope

    Built in 1979, Loughborough. Rebuilt 2004. Courtesy of Direct Rail Services

  • Class 57 No. 57314 Conwy Castle

    Class 57 No. 57314 Conwy Castle

    Built in 1965, Loughborough. Rebuilt in 2003. Courtesy of West Coast Railways.

  • Class 57/0

    Class 57/0

    Courtesy of West Coast Railways

  • Loram RGX Rail Grinder

    Loram RGX Rail Grinder

    Built in 2025, Derby. The first UK-built rail grinder. Courtesy of Loram

  • Class 59 No. 59201 Westbury PSB 1984 – 2024

    Class 59 No. 59201 Westbury PSB 1984 – 2024

    Built in 1994, Ontario, Canada. Courtesy of Freightliner

  • Class 27 No. 27056

    Class 27 No. 27056

    Built in 1962, Birmingham. Courtesy of Northampton Type 2 Group

  • Class 11 No. 12099

    Class 11 No. 12099

    Built in 1952, Derby. Courtesy of Severn Valley Railway

  • Class 08 No. 13000

    Class 08 No. 13000

    Built in 1952, Derby. Courtesy of James Williams

  • Ruston 48 No. 294266 Sir William McAlpine

    Ruston 48 No. 294266 Sir William McAlpine

    Built in 1951, Lincoln. Courtesy of Lawrie's Mechanical Marvels

  • Class 373 Power Car No. 3999

    Class 373 Power Car No. 3999

    Built in 1996, Belfort, France. Courtesy of Eurostar

  • Class 423 No. 3417 Gordon Pettitt

    Class 423 No. 3417 Gordon Pettitt

    Built in 1967, York. Courtesy of The Bluebell Railway

  • Class 507 No. 507001

    Class 507 No. 507001

    Provided by the Class 507 Preservation Society. Built in 1978, this is a preserved Merseyrail electric multiple unit (EMU) in heritage British Rail blue-grey livery.

  •  Class 142 No. 142013

    Class 142 No. 142013

    Built in 1985, No. 142013 is one of 96 'Pacers' built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, with 35 since being preserved. Courtesy of Midland Railway – Butterley

  • Class 323 No. 323221

    Class 323 No. 323221

    Built in 1995, Leeds. Courtesy of Porterbrook

  • Class 465 No. 465908 Chris Green

    Class 465 No. 465908 Chris Green

    Built in 1991, Birmingham. Courtesy of Southeastern

  • Class 390 Pendolino No. 390119 Progress

    Class 390 Pendolino No. 390119 Progress

    Provided by Avanti West Coast. Built between 2001 and 2005 by Alstom, it is the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train.

  • Class 720 Aventra No. 720568

    Class 720 Aventra No. 720568

    Provided by Greater Anglia. Built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works in 2022

  • Class 799 No. 799201

    Class 799 No. 799201

    Built in 2021, Wolverton. Courtesy of Porterbrook

  • Class 438 (4TC)

    Class 438 (4TC)

    Built 1966-1974, York
    Courtesy of Transport for London

  • British Rail Derby Lightweight No. 79900 Iris

    British Rail Derby Lightweight No. 79900 Iris

    Built in 1954, Derby. Courtesy of Great Central Railway

  • LNWR Royal Saloon No. 45000

    LNWR Royal Saloon No. 45000

    Built in 1920, Wolverton. Courtesy of Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust

  • L&YR Dynamometer Car No. 45050

    L&YR Dynamometer Car No. 45050

    Built in 1912, Newton Heath. Courtesy of Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust

  • LMS Inspection Saloon No. 45029

    LMS Inspection Saloon No. 45029

    Built in 1942, Wolverton. Courtesy of Transport for London

  • JNA-T Wagon

    JNA-T Wagon

    Courtesy of DCRail and Cappagh Group

  • IIA-D Biomass Hopper

    IIA-D Biomass Hopper

    Courtesy of Drax Group

  • Inspection Saloon No. 975025 Caroline

    Inspection Saloon No. 975025 Caroline

    Built in 1958, Eastleigh. Courtesy of Network Rail

  • GWR Bow-end Composite No. 6045

    GWR Bow-end Composite No. 6045

    Built in 1928, Swindon. Courtesy of GW(SVR)A

  • LMS Restaurant First Open No. 7511

    LMS Restaurant First Open No. 7511

    Built in 1934, Wolverton. Courtesy of SVR Charitable Trust

  • GWR Saloon No. 9103

    GWR Saloon No. 9103

    Built in 1929, Swindon. Courtesy of GW(SVR)A

  • LMS Corridor Composite No. 24617

    LMS Corridor Composite No. 24617

    Built in 1947, Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Courtesy of SVR Charitable Trust

  • NET Tram 207 Mavis Worthington

    NET Tram 207 Mavis Worthington

    Built in 2003, Derby. Courtesy of Nottingham Express Transit

  • Dovetail Games

    Dovetail Games

    British video game developer Dovetail Games are bringing their flagship series Train Sim World to The Greatest Gathering, giving visitors the chance to drive historic and current locomotives

  • Derby Society of Model and Experimental Engineers

    Derby Society of Model and Experimental Engineers

    5 in ridable railway

  • Ground Level 5” Gauge Main Line Association (GL5)

    Ground Level 5” Gauge Main Line Association (GL5)

    5 in demonstration layout

  • Grand Central Chorus

    Grand Central Chorus

    Forty-strong, four-part close-harmony group from the East Midlands. Performing Sunday 3 August only

  • Tim O'Brien

    Tim O'Brien

    Artist in resident

  • An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine – UK Premiere and Q&A

    An Unlikely Fandom: The Impact of Thomas the Tank Engine – UK Premiere and Q&A

    This feature-length documentary explores the profound influence of the beloved children’s television series on popular culture and its enduring legacy. Directed by Brannon Carty. Screening Sunday 2 August only. Additional charge applies

  • Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration

    Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration

    Class 66 No. 66710 and No. 66719, along with Mark 3 carriages built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Courtesy of Railway 200

  • MEC4 Rail Utility Vehicle and MTRL Trailer

    MEC4 Rail Utility Vehicle and MTRL Trailer

    Courtesy of Donfabs & Consillia

  • Ashover Band

    Ashover Band

    Dynamic Derbyshire brass band. Performing Friday 1 and Sunday 3 August only.

  • The Makory

    The Makory

    Mobile workshop and gallery managed by Derby Museum of Making