Saturday 2nd August 2025

Our special train takes you direct to Derby offering you the opportunity to enjoy a full day at what is rightly billed as the railway’s ‘Greatest Gathering’ …. the largest temporary assembly of rolling stock and railway-related exhibits in a generation, all coming together across the vast estate of Derby Litchurch Lane Works.

Alstom, the UK’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, will be opening its historic Derby factory to the public for the first time in 2025 to host an unprecedented event in celebration of ‘Railway 200’.

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.

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.

UK Railtours is delighted to be able to offer our tour customers tickets to this already sold out event. Our special train leaves London Paddington and runs a reasonably direct route to Derby – via Oxfordshire and the West Midlands. Our return route takes us via the Midland main line and affords a rare opportunity to experience the recently reopened East/West route from Bletchley through to Oxford.

Our train operator is GBRf utilising a class 57/3 and a class 69 locomotive. We expect to utilise Mk3 coaching stock from Eastern Rail Services.

Please note that entry to The Greatest Gathering is a supplementary option to the main tour fare. Please remember to add the right number of entry tickets to your booking as we cannot guarantee they will be available to add later. Please only book one entry ticket per person booked on our Special Train.

 

All timings are provisional and intended only as a guide

Station	Depart	Arrive
London Paddington	06.15	23.00
Slough	06.45	22.30
Reading	07.15	22.00
Didcot Parkway	07.35	21.40
Oxford	07.55	21.20

There is no First Class Dining on this train. A buffet car serving hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available.  

Class	Price	Availability
Standard Adult	£149	Good
Standard Junior	£129	Good
First Class Non Dining	£229	Good
Supplementary Option - Entrance Fee to The Greatest Gathering	£30	Good
Supplementary Option - Child Entrance Fee to The Greatest Gathering	£15	Good

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