Alstom Celebrates Railway 200 Success as Charity Festival Draws 40,000 Visitors and Global Audience

Tim O’Brien – The Greatest Gathering, 2025. Oil on canvas

(IN BRIEF) Alstom’s Railway 200 festival, The Greatest Gathering, has generated over £100,000 for five national charities and more than fifty railway heritage organisations after drawing over 40,000 visitors to Derby’s Litchurch Lane Works and millions more online. The event, featuring 140+ historic and modern trains, marked the first public opening of the works in nearly 50 years. A painting by Tim O’Brien was unveiled during the announcement, with Pete Waterman OBE presiding. Proceeds will support Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO, as well as restoration projects including Merseyrail Class 507001. The festival continues to gain awards and nominations, underscoring its cultural significance and impact.

(PRESS RELEASE) SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, 10-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Alstom has confirmed that its landmark Railway 200 – The Greatest Gathering event has raised more than £100,000 (€114,000) for national charities and railway heritage organisations, marking one of the largest charitable contributions associated with a UK rail celebration. Held at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby between 1–3 August 2025, the festival brought together an unprecedented collection of heritage and modern rolling stock, drawing more than 40,000 visitors in person and millions more through global livestreams. The event also marked the first time in nearly half a century that the site — the UK’s only end-to-end train manufacturing facility — opened its doors to the public.

Andy Butters, Managing Director of Derby Litchurch Lane Works, said the fundraising total reflects the enthusiasm of rail supporters, volunteers and partners who helped realise the event. “This milestone shows the strength of our railway community and helps sustain the heritage organisations that preserve Britain’s rail story,” he said. “Opening our works to the public for the first time in decades was emotional for many of us — a celebration of 200 years of railway innovation and a reminder of how strongly people feel about this industry.”

Funds raised through ticket sales, merchandise and vendor fees will be distributed among five national charities — Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO — as well as more than 50 heritage groups involved in the festival. A presentation ceremony on 8 December showcased a giant cheque marking the occasion.

The Greatest Gathering Organising Committee and Pete Waterman OBE celebrating the record-breaking festival raising £100,000 for good causes (Credit  – Alstom)

The announcement coincided with the unveiling of The Greatest Gathering’s official artwork: a large oil painting by artist in residence Tim O’Brien, who live-painted scenes from the festival over three days. The painting was revealed in Alstom’s J shop workspace beneath a custom aluminium train headboard produced by Newton Castings. Music producer and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman OBE, who attended the festival with his 64-foot Making Tracks 3 model layout, led the unveiling. Visitors can spot several notable figures captured in the painting, including Michael Portillo and Jeremy Vine, as well as scenes from the world’s first Pride Parade on a train — another feature of the 2025 celebration.

Alstom employees also visited the site’s 1.6-km test track, becoming among the first to ride preserved Merseyrail unit Class 507001, which transported Queen Elizabeth II during the opening of Merseyrail in 1978. The train, retired in 2024 and purchased for £1 by the Class 507 Preservation Society, is being restored with support from volunteers and apprentices, and will receive a portion of the charitable proceeds for ongoing preservation work.

Earlier in the day, Alstom joined Derby College and Railway 200 representatives for a time capsule ceremony at Derby Roundhouse, commemorating 200 years of railway history. Apprentices, staff and partners reflected on the impact of the anniversary year and on Derby’s role as a long-standing hub for railway manufacturing and innovation.

The festival, which has already won multiple national awards including the RailStaff Project Team Award and Railway Benefit Fund’s Star Team Award, continues to gain recognition. The Greatest Gathering is nominated for further accolades at the Rail Business Awards, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards, and the Steam Railway Magazine Award at the Heritage Railway Association Awards — the only prize decided by public vote.

Media contact:

Ben Goodwin
ben.goodwin@alstomgroup.com