DERBY, ENGLAND – August 19, 2025 – A historic railway festival in Derby, England, has chugged its way into the record books, setting a new world record for the largest gathering of historic and modern trains. Dubbed “The Greatest Gathering,” the three-day event was held from August 1 to August 3 at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Works.
Organized as a cornerstone of the year-long “Railway 200” celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the festival was a landmark occasion for rail enthusiasts and the public. It featured a colossal collection of over 140 iconic vehicles from the past, present, and future of rail travel, attracting more than 40,000 visitors.
The event marked the first time in almost 50 years that the historic train factory, one of the world’s largest rolling stock facilities, had opened its doors to the public. It provided a unique opportunity for attendees to witness a stunning array of locomotives and rail-related exhibits, from the world’s oldest operating steam engines to the latest in high-speed rail technology.
“Together, we’ve created the world’s largest gathering of historic and modern railway vehicles,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom. “It was a once-in-a-generation celebration of Britain’s railway heritage and future, and a truly unforgettable experience for tens of thousands of visitors.”
The record-breaking festival not only celebrated two centuries of rail innovation but also underscored Derby’s deep-rooted history as a continuous train-building city since 1839. The success of “The Greatest Gathering” has cemented its place in history as a pivotal moment in the global railway community.This response is more helpful
