What was billed as “the world’s largest-ever collection of historic and modern rolling stock”, The Greatest Gathering, took place at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site in Derby as part of Railway 200.
Greater Anglia (GA) proudly attended the momentous event, held from 1-3 August, at which the rail industry celebrated the contribution of the railways to the UK and the wider world, with a huge display of locomotives and other rail-related exhibits, which illustrated the incredibly positive impact of the industry, and the people who have worked in it, since 1825.
A varied group of 10 colleagues from across the Greater Anglia network made their way from London St. Pancras up the Midland Main Line to the Alstom works in Derby, where one of GA’s Alstom-built class 720 trains, which was built on that very site, was on display. Greater Anglia also presented a Stadler-built class 755 bi-mode train at the event.
Following a successful opening VIP event on Thursday 31 July, during which GA’s class 720 provided the backdrop alongside George and Robert Stephenson’s pioneering Locomotion No.1, the doors opened promptly on Friday morning.
Across the weekend, 37,500 visitors were able to see more than 140 locomotives and railway vehicles from throughout history. On show were incredible railway exhibits, from the world-renowned ‘Flying Scotsman’ and ‘Blue Peter’ steam locomotives, to Pete Waterman’s record-breaking model railway, and ‘Prince’, the world’s oldest operating narrow-gauge steam locomotive from 1863.
During the event, visitors were able to look round both GA’s class 720 and 755 trains. Guests were able to visit the cabs of both trains and experience a full cab tour hosted by Greater Anglia colleagues who explained in detail how the trains work and some of their key features. Colleagues also spoke at length about railway careers options and explained to visitors that there are career opportunities for everyone in the railway.
In a radio first, Greater Anglia welcomed the BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine Show to its class 755 for a live broadcast. While on board, the legendary broadcaster interviewed Ken Davis, an Alstom employee who has spent 50 years working on the railway and is the third generation of railway worker in his family. Following the interview, singer-songwriter, Bill Ryder-Jones, performed a bespoke song about Ken’s life and career live on board the class 755 unit.
Tim Dunn, Historian and Broadcaster, who also attended the event, said: “What an incredible example of the railway industry coming together to show a united front about how much it loves its enthusiasts, while showing off the future of rail, the present of rail, and its glorious past as well.
“It has been an amazing array of wonderful people and exhibits that show how rail has changed the world and will carry on doing so.”
As the gates opened each morning, a team of Greater Anglia staff and Royal Air Force Air Cadets from the 126 (city of derby) squadron provided each of the daily 12,500 visitors with their own branded tote bag, which resulted in a dense sea of Greater Anglia red and white in every corner of the 90-acre site. The sight of the red and white tote bags has been captured in a beautiful illustration by the author and illustrator of the book , 200 Years of Britain's Railways in 14 Journeys, Sherin Aminossehe.
Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs, said: "The Greatest Gathering was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that temporarily brought together an amazing collection of some of the finest railway locomotives and exhibits to celebrate Railway 200.
“At Greater Anglia, we’re really proud to have supported this historic event by exhibiting our modern class 720 and class 755 trains alongside the historic Locomotion No.1."
As a charity event, all profits from The Greatest Gathering will be split between Railway 200’s five chosen charities – Alzheimer's Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO – and railway heritage partners.