Alstom has announced that its Railway 200 event, The Greatest Gathering, officially raised over 100,000 GBP for charity.
The event, which was held at the rolling stock manufacturer’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works between 1–3 August 2025, saw the attendance of more than 40,000 visitors, all of which were able to witness over 140 rail vehicles as the site opened to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
A giant cheque representing the donation was presented by The Greatest Gathering Organising Committee this past Monday (08 December), signifying the total sum raised from the event’s ticket sales, vendor fees and merchandise.
Revenue will now be split between all five of Railway 200’s chosen charities – Alzheimer’s Research UK, Railway Benefit Fund, Railway Children, Railway Mission and Transport Benevolent Fund CIO – as well as over 50 different railway heritage organisations that took part in the event.
Andy Butters, Managing Director Derby Litchurch Lane Works at Alstom, said:Raising over £100,000 is an outstanding result and a testament to the generosity of railfans, partners and the hundreds of volunteers who made The Greatest Gathering possible. We’re proud that these funds will support national charities and the heritage organisations that keep Britain’s railway story alive.
Opening our Litchurch Lane Works to the public for the first time in almost 50 years was a special moment for Derby, Alstom and the wider industry. It allowed us to celebrate two centuries of innovation made here, across the country and around the world, and this fundraising milestone shows how powerfully our railway heritage continues to inspire.
To coincide with the announcement; the event’s official artwork, a large oil painting by artist in residence, Tim O’Brien, went on display for the first time.
Many of the volunteers that were involved in The Greatest Gathering attended the unveiling of the official artwork in J shop; a large open-plan office space situated at the heart of Alstom’s 90-acre Derby site. The painting now sits below an aluminium train headboard, which was designed, manufactured and finished for the festival by Chesterfield-based Newton Castings.
The artwork itself was unveiled by music producer and rail enthusiast, Pete Waterman OBE, who also provided his 64 ft-long OO gauge Making Tracks 3 model layout to The Greatest Gathering.
Alstom colleagues were also invited to visit the site’s 1.6km-long Test Track, where they were amongst the first to ride in preservation on one of the exhibits from The Greatest Gathering, former Merseyrail Class 507, No. 507001.
Finally, Alstom took part in a time capsule burial ceremony, which was also attended by representatives from Derby College and Railway 200 at Derby Roundhouse.
