World’s Largest Railway Festival, world record in Derby, England

August 19, 2025

Derby, Derbyshire, England--As part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations, Alstom’s historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works hosted The Greatest Gathering, a three-day festival featuring more than 140 iconic vehicles from the past, present and future of the railways, which sets the world record for the World’s Largest Railway Festival, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"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," the official website says.

"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 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 official website says.

"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."

"Alstom’s three-day sold-out charity extravaganza forms part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 – and a journey that gave birth to the modern railway.

"The Greatest Gathering is a once-in-a-generation celebration of Britain’s railway heritage and future, and it simply wouldn’t have been possible without the extraordinary support of so many. Together, we’ve created the world’s largest gathering of historic and modern railway vehicles, and a truly unforgettable experience for tens of thousands of visitors, alongside those watching online at home," says Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Alstom on the official website.

"The countdown to a new festival - dubbed "the Glastonbury of railways" - is almost over, as more than 40,000 steam enthusiasts prepare to head to Derby for The Greatest Gathering," the BBC reports.

"The event will see more than 40,000 people come together for the three-day event at train manufacturer Alstom in the city. Taking place between Friday and Sunday, it will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the world's first passenger train service.

"Among the locomotives, modern high-speed trains, and technology on display at the Litchurch Lane factory will be the world famous Flying Scotsman."

"Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works will become the epicentre of rail history as it hosts The Greatest Gathering, the largest railway festival in the world, from August 1 to August 3, 2025," the Travel And Tour World says.

"This three-day event is part of the Railway 200 celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. the event will highlight the birthplace of modern railway. More than 140 exhibits from the past and the present of rail travel will be on display. The event will provide an unparalleled experience for rail enthusiasts, families and visitors from allover the world.

"The Greatest Gathering commemorates the two-century-long journey that began with the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives for passenger and freight transport. Locomotion No. 1, the first locomotive to travel on this historic line, will be one of the main attractions at the event. This locomotive, along with other iconic steam engines, will be on display, allowing visitors to experience the awe-inspiring machines that helped shape the railway industry."