Railway 200: Greatest Gathering Derby tickets and exhibits

[birchesgreen]

What day are folks here going? I'm there on the friday.

 

[sad1e]

What day are folks here going? I'm there on the friday.

The Saturday , so i can get some 69 and 57 haulage in on the Railtour , I don't think I have 69 haulage yet so it will be a first.

 

[Class15]

What day are folks here going? I'm there on the friday.

I’m doing the railtour in on Thursday and then the Friday.

 

[Kit Angel]

Hallo All.
A vain hope, but just in case you find you can't go or you have or know of a spare ticket or two for Friday or Saturday, I'd be happy to buy it/them for my own use. PM me or better, email home@nkat.net. Thank you..

 

[Harpo]

50007, D821, 40106 & a DMU running from Kidderminster to Derby Fri 25/7 I hear.

 

[M28361M]

Path from Eastleigh Arlington to Litchurch Lane tomorrow. I believe this is 313201.

Realtime Trains | 5Q57 1126 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Derby Litchurch Lane | 24/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q57 1126 departure from Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Derby Litchurch Lane on 24/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[A S Leib]

450 Derby platform tickets will be available each day from 30 July to 3 August on a first-come, first-served basis for a cash charity donation.

https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/the-greatest-gathering-emr-shares-top-tips-for-those-attending/

This summer, Derby becomes the beating heart of Britain’s railway heritage as The Greatest Gathering rolls into town. This once-in-a-generation celebration at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Works is set to be a major highlight of the national Railway 200 programme.

With 12,500 visitors expected each day, The Greatest Gathering is more than just a rail event. It marks a significant shared moment in Derby’s proud and ongoing railway story.

Whether you’re a train enthusiast, a curious local, or visiting with family, here are East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) top tips to help you make the most of your visit:

Top Tips for Attending The Greatest Gathering

Give yourself enough time and expect services to be busy

Arrive early and allow extra time for your journey. EMR is expecting large crowds, particularly with football fixtures also taking place in the region (including Derby County vs Atromitos on Saturday). Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey to avoid delays.

Planning to bring your bike? Understand the restrictions – it might be easier to leave it at home and walk

Most EMR services can accommodate bikes, but space is limited to two bikes per train. Reservations are essential on some routes, such as services to and from London (excluding EMR Connect), and between Liverpool and Norwich during the summer months. The Greatest Gathering is only a 8 to 10-minute walk away from the station and trains will be very busy so it may be easier for you to leave your bike at home this time.

Use Derby station’s underpass and explore the new history boards

Derby station will be busy throughout the event, and the best way to navigate it is by using the underpass. To mark the occasion, the underpass has been revitalised and now features new local artwork and railway history boards celebrating Derby’s legacy. It is a great opportunity to reflect on the city’s past, present and future as the new home of Great British Railways HQ.

Follow this route for the safest way to the event site

The event site is around an 8 to 10-minute walk from Derby Station. Please follow these directions carefully:

Exit Derby Station and walk up Midland Road to the traffic lights.
Use the pedestrian crossings to cross safely, then turn left onto London Road.
Please do not attempt to cross further up the road as there are no safe crossing points.
After crossing the railway bridge, turn right onto Litchurch Lane.
The event entrance will be clearly marked on your left-hand side as you approach.
Screenshot 2025-07-22 110616
Don’t have tickets to The Greatest Gathering? Consider a platform ticket

EMR is offering a rare opportunity to access Derby’s platforms during the event. Visitors with a platform ticket will be able to watch the trains arrive and depart and soak in the atmosphere of this special event.

Platform tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the station. EMR is asking for a voluntary cash donation in aid of Dementia UK. There is no set amount. These tickets will provide access to a cordoned-off section of the platform, where enthusiasts can enjoy the view and meet other like-minded rail fans.

A total of 450 platform tickets will be available each day from 30 July to 3 August. The busiest days for train movements are 30 and 31 July.

Look out for special touches at Derby Station

To welcome visitors, the station will be decorated and we will be putting on a few special treats. Look out for:

Bunting and sweets
A live pianist
An ice cream van outside for a cool treat
Philippa Cresswell, Customer Experience Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “The Greatest Gathering is a truly special event for Derby and the wider rail community, and we’re thrilled to welcome thousands of visitors to the city and to Derby station. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the past, present and future of the railway in a place that has played such a central role in its development.

“To help everyone enjoy the day safely and comfortably, we’re asking visitors to follow our travel tips, use the signed walking routes, expect busy services and consider arriving early.

“We are also encouraging people to support Dementia UK through our special platform ticket initiative – a great way to get closer to the action while supporting a brilliant cause.”

 

[tram21]

That's a really nice touch by EMR actually!

 

[Rab Smith]

Friday ticket available for sale at Face value.
DM for details

 

[Forty29]

I'm a bit worried that they don't mention extra trains will run or services strengthened. They are expecting it to be busy so hopefully will be on that wavelength!

 

[43055]

I'm a bit worried that they don't mention extra trains will run or services strengthened. They are expecting it to be busy so hopefully will be on that wavelength!

They don't have the trains. The 222's are stretched after the withdrawal of the 180's (and HST before that). Regional they don't seem to have enough for the normal Skegness strengthening and Saturday extras although they do occasionally strengthen the Crewe or Matlock services for events but probably at the expense of another route.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I'm a bit worried that they don't mention extra trains will run or services strengthened. They are expecting it to be busy so hopefully will be on that wavelength!

Indeed I am too. But I have seat reservations for a Sheffield to Derby train in the morning so it hopefully won't be too bad (although Alston remind me as staff I have to stand if it's full and standing).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2025 ==

They don't have the trains. The 222's are stretched after the withdrawal of the 180's (and HST before that). Regional they don't seem to have enough for the normal Skegness strengthening and Saturday extras although they do occasionally strengthen the Crewe or Matlock services for events but probably at the expense of another route.

Indeed. I've lost track of how many railtours are running, but they add a fair bit of capacity into Derby on the day.

 

[liamf656]

Crosscountry are running two extra services from Birmingham to Derby in the morning and a return in the evening, on the Friday and Saturday

 

[A S Leib]

Crosscountry are running two extra services from Birmingham to Derby in the morning and a return in the evening, on the Friday and Saturday

New Street 07:30 / 09:30 (09:19 Sat), Tamworth 07:50 / 09:47 (09:39 Sat), Burton 08:02 / 09:59 (09:52 Sat), Derby 08:14 /, 10:11 (08:16 / 10:05 Sat) for northbound times. Derby 17:54 (17:53 Sat), Burton ~18:04, Tamworth ~18:15, New Street 18:36 / 18:34 for the return.

Lots of services marked as VAR on realtimetrains, but that looks like Cardiff services cut at New Street rather than normal ones being readjusted to fit in these extras.

 

[sad1e]

Does anyone know when tickets will be sent out for the Ukrailtours "Greatest Gathering Special Train" , this will be my first railtours so I'm not very experienced in how tickets will be sent out for it.

 

[Iskra]

Does anyone know when tickets will be sent out for the Ukrailtours "Greatest Gathering Special Train" , this will be my first railtours so I'm not very experienced in how tickets will be sent out for it.

It’s often just in the week ahead of the tour, which is fairly normal for most railtour operators. It’s nothing to worry about as if it doesn’t turn up for any reason they will still be able to check you off against their seating plan onboard if needed.

 

[bleeder4]

Does anyone know when tickets will be sent out for the Ukrailtours "Greatest Gathering Special Train" , this will be my first railtours so I'm not very experienced in how tickets will be sent out for it.

Ticket will come the week before. Tour is next weekend, so expect it by Monday/Tuesday.
It is unlikely that the ticket will get checked on board. The steward on your coach will have names and seat numbers on his manifest to refer to if there is a seating query.
To get through the barriers at the station tell them you are on the charter and they will let you through.
Take some cash with you if you plan to buy anything from the buffet on board, as it is often cash only.
Enjoy your first railtour! I still fondly remember my first one back in 2016. Lost track of how many I've done since then!

 

[Iskra]

Ticket will come the week before. Tour is next weekend, so expect it by Monday/Tuesday.
It is unlikely that the ticket will get checked on board. The steward on your coach will have names and seat numbers on his manifest to refer to if there is a seating query.
To get through the barriers at the station tell them you are on the charter and they will let you through.
Take some cash with you if you plan to buy anything from the buffet on board, as it is often cash only.
Enjoy your first railtour! I still fondly remember my first one back in 2016. Lost track of how many I've done since then!

They all have card machines these days at the buffet, cash is dying out.

 

[RealTrains07]

I’ve seen on X (formerly twitter) that apparently at the event for the 1st refurbished EMR class 158 that EMR have said that 158847 will be making an appearance at the greatest gathering?

 

[50002Superb]

Added announcements:
H3802 (08)
387101

I assume 360113 is another one to add to the list?

Passed me at Long Eaton on Tuesday heading in that direction behind 37800.

 

[sad1e]

I assume 360113 is another one to add to the list?

Passed me at Long Eaton on Tuesday heading in that direction behind 37800.

Nope , that would have been going for maintenance at Northampton. Not to TGG

 

[Trainman40083]

I assume 360113 is another one to add to the list?

Passed me at Long Eaton on Tuesday heading in that direction behind 37800.

I think the Class 360s are having some cab work done at Derby RTC. 2 or 3 have visited so far

 

[DarloRich]

Nope , that would have been going for maintenance at Northampton. Not to TGG

It is going through long way around if it is at long Eaton! They usually go:

Kettering > Bedford > Bletchley > Northampton

 

[Kit Angel]

Friday ticket available for sale at Face value.
DM for details

Rab, hi. Thanks. I'll take it. New here and not posted 5 time so no DM button! Can you please email me and we can take this offline? Many thanks, NK.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jul 2025 ==

Rab Smith, pls see post on Greatest Gathering thread. Tx NK.

 

[Rab Smith]

Rab, hi. Thanks. I'll take it. New here and not posted 5 time so no DM button! Can you please email me and we can take this offline? Many thanks, NK.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jul 2025 ==

Rab Smith, pls see post on Greatest Gathering thread. Tx NK.

Hi, just started a conversation with you if you can look at that.

 

[50002Superb]

Nope , that would have been going for maintenance at Northampton. Not to TGG

I doubt that

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jul 2025 ==

 

[sad1e]

313201 dragged by 37884 on its way to Derby earlier today , and D6515 dragging Sarah Siddons and the 4VEP , Both on their way to Derby.

 

[Harpo]

50007, D821, 40106 & a DMU running from Kidderminster to Derby Fri 25/7

10.23 from Kidderminster.

Realtime Trains | 5Z31 1023 Kidderminster S.V.R. to Derby Litchurch Lane | 25/07/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Z31 1023 departure from Kidderminster S.V.R. to Derby Litchurch Lane on 25/07/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[_toommm_]

I'm going on Friday, with a train booked down to Euston at 16:38. Out of curiosity, does anyone think it's worth getting there for when it opens and is there enough to do there for six hours?

 

[DarloRich]

I'm going on Friday, with a train booked down to Euston at 16:38. Out of curiosity, does anyone think it's worth getting there for when it opens and is there enough to do there for six hours?

yes - have you seen the site map and the number of exhibits?