2025 will be a momentous year for rail enthusiasts in the Britain, as the country comes together to celebrate 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on September 27, 1825 – and a journey that gave birth to the modern railway.
Railway 200 will be especially marked here in Derby, which played a pivotal role in the development of the railway network beginning in 1839 with the opening of the Midland Counties Railway. Ever since then, it’s been a centre of rail administration, manufacturing and innovation.
Trainmaker Alstom, which is based on the historic railway engineering site at Litchurch Lane, says it will be “front and centre” as it hosts the largest temporary gathering of trains and rail-related exhibits in a generation called The Greatest Gathering – understood to be the first time that the Litchurch Lane site has thrown opens its doors to the public in more than 50 years.
The Railway 200 bunting will be in evidence across the country throughout 2025
(Image: Railway 200)
The first locomotive to run on the S&DR – Locomotion No. 1 – was built by the Newcastle-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 countries around the world. 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.
The Greatest Gathering open weekend will take place on Friday 1, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August. In partnership with the wider industry and heritage operators, The Greatest Gathering promises to showcase iconic vehicles from the past, present and future of Britain’s railways – delighting thousands of enthusiasts of all ages, while inspiring the rail pioneers of the future.
Derby has a rich rail history, which continues through to the present day and it still boasts the only place in the Britain where trains are designed, manufactured and tested all on one site at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site.
- 1839 – Railways commence operating in Derby and carriage building starts
- 1844 – Midland Railway established (Derby HQ)
- 1851 – First locomotive, 147, built in Derby
- 1947 – Britain’s first mainline diesel-electric locomotive, 10,000, was built in Derby
- 1957 – Last of 2,941 Derby-built steam locomotives, 73154
- 1963 – Last steam locomotive repaired, 75042
- 1967 – Last new diesel locomotive (number D7677) – over 1,000 built in Derby
- 1975 – World’s most iconic and successful diesel passenger trains – InterCity 125 (HST) – designed and coaches built in Derby
- 1989 – UK’s first aluminium-bodied train (Class 158) designed and built in Derby
- 2022 – Derby designed and built Class 345 trains go into service on the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) in London
Alongside displays of historic and modern, mainline locomotives, Britain’s biggest rail celebration will also feature rides along Derby’s test track, a variety of miniature trains in operation and layouts staged by some of the biggest names in model railways. Fairground attractions, refreshment areas and live music will also add to the festival feel.
Nick Crossfield, managing director at Alstom UK and Ireland, said: “The Greatest Gathering is not just going to be a celebration of the past 200 years of rail innovation, but a showcase of the future we’re building together.
“At Alstom, we are incredibly proud of our heritage and excited to open the doors to our historic Litchurch Lane site, where the legacy of railway forerunners continues today. This event will be an opportunity to inspire the next generation, celebrate our collective achievements, and reaffirm the importance of rail in creating a sustainable and better-connected future.”
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.
Railway 200 will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the railway’s far-reaching impact on how people live their lives and how it’s shaping a more sustainable future. It is a partner-led programme of activities and events across the UK, supported by the rail industry, the UK Government, Transport Scotland, Transport for Wales, the Northern Ireland Executive, rail and business bodies, civic and community groups and a wide range of other partners, including Visit Britain and the Museums Association.
The 200th anniversary kicked offf with an evocative whistle-off of vintage locomotives on January 1, 2025 at sites across the UK, spearheaded by the Heritage Railway Association. There will also be a national Railway 200 seat sale in early 2025, offering heavily discounted train travel for great days out, as announced this month by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Alstom is planning several other celebration events to support Railway 200 throughout 2025, including an open day to mark the 150th anniversary of its Glasgow Traincare Centre in Polmadie. Additional activities will be hosted around the world by the wider Alstom Group, which has a presence in 63 countries and a talent base of over 80,000 people from 175 nationalities.
Other Railway 200 highlights include planning a touring exhibition train – named Inspiration – to criss-cross Britain, creating a buzz at mainline stations, heritage railways and depots. The train is being developed in partnership with the National Railway Museum, part of the Science Museum Group. It will consist of different interactive exhibitions exploring the past, present and future of rail.
More details on The Greatest Gathering – and how to purchase tickets – will be released in due course via Alstom’s website and partner channels.