Railway 200: Greatest Gathering Derby tickets and exhibits

[Bletchleyite]

I get that but it is a bag - try not to get in a state about something so small. Focus on what matters. All that has been done is a transfer of the "door" rules from a concert or small festival venue. Don't over think it.

Just travel light - take only what you NEED.

I'm pretty sure you're not autistic based on comments similar to this in the past. This is great, but a very large proportion of the attendees to an event of this nature will be, and such a comment is very likely to cause them a lot of stress. It's important they clarify this and issue an update - it is after all a disabled accessibility issue - and I trust that they indeed will when they get lots of questions about it.

People moan about Ryanair, but at least it publicises a bag size and sticks to the absolute letter of it. I doubt they ever catch autistic people out.

 

[D365]

I do wonder how many services are going to be short formed this weekend because their 222 or 158 or 387 or 170 or HST etc are at Litchurch Lane

The 222 and 387 won’t have any impact as they (222005 and 387101 respectively) are not in traffic.

 

[DarloRich]

I'm pretty sure you're not autistic based on comments similar to this in the past. This is great, but a very large proportion of the attendees to an event of this nature will be, and such a comment is very likely to cause them a lot of stress. It's important they clarify this and issue an update - it is after all a disabled accessibility issue - and I trust that they indeed will when they get lots of questions about it.

I am supportive: I just don't hand hold or mollycoddle. You have to find a way to cope with life and develop strategies to help. I have done that with my difficulties and I expect others to do the same. It is hard but you have to or drown.

Anyway - all off topic.

 

[Royston Vasey]

The 222 and 387 won’t have any impact as they (222005 and 387101 respectively) are not in traffic.

Oh is 101 still on ETCS work?

Is 222005 broken?

 

[Trainman40083]

66097 in DB red with gold Drax wagon has passed through Doncaster

 

[mchunt]

Knowing that many of the attendees will be at least to some extent autistic and thus will want to follow the rules to the absolute letter, they've dropped a massive blooper with the publicity on bag sizes. If you read the full info it says something like "max A4 sized and under 20 litres" which is clearly the result of people talking about things without thinking and writing the wrong thing. A4 size, which is just a very small crossbody or womens' handbag that are typically allowed into gigs where they'd really rather allow nothing but can't do that because womens' clothing often has no pockets, is about 5-6l at most.

They really do need to be a lot clearer about it. The best option would be to specify a size and have sizers if they don't want to be letting big bags in, or alternatively get a company in to do storage if your bag is too big. They really are not appreciating just how much stress being vague on something like this is likely to cause to a significant proportion of the attendees, and also that almost everyone is going to get there by train so can't just go and leave a refused bag in the car.

My autistic son is severely stressed with the A4 bag limit he needs his cuddly toy and few other comfort items, whereas a 20L bag would be fine. This isn't a small thing for people with autism or those of us (probably undiagnosed) who follow rules rigidly.

A 20L A4 bag would be deeper than it is tall - which is a little ridiculous and cause more trouble at a venue, but if I had more time I would find one or get one made.

 

[Sun Chariot]

My autistic son is severely stressed with the A4 bag limit he needs his cuddly toy and few other comfort items, whereas a 20L bag would be fine

Sports Direct sells a range of handy small backpacks. My 23 year old son has one - we got it to ensure he doesn't forget or lose the things he needs when he's away from the house. He has dyspraxia, has a relatively low functioning autism and he has significant learning disability.

 

[sng7]

The terms and conditions of the event (visible here) say 20L backpacks not A4, so that is what they will have to follow.

 

[Bletchleyite]

A 20L A4 bag would be deeper than it is tall - which is a little ridiculous and cause more trouble at a venue, but if I had more time I would find one or get one made.

A4 is a bit silly really, it doesn't specify the third dimension. I reckon my 50l would fit A4 in two dimensions but is clearly not what places mean. The idea of it for gigs etc is to prevent people taking bad things into very crowded areas while speeding security checks as the queues are also a vulnerability - this doesn't really apply to what's going on here as it's mostly an open area and so it's more about just not having massive bags being carried in which might cause H&S issues e.g. knocking people over or catching on things.

This does look like an editing issue but as I mentioned due to the number of autistic people likely to be attending they really do need to fix it and issue a clarification - failing to do so is probably failure to provide properly for disabilities given the context.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

Sports Direct sells a range of handy small backpacks. My 23 year old son has one - we got it to ensure he doesn't forget or lose the things he needs when he's away from the house. He has dyspraxia, has a relatively low functioning autism and he has significant learning disability.

Decathlon is also good for cheap rucksacks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

The terms and conditions of the event (visible here) say 20L backpacks not A4, so that is what they will have to follow.

Unfortunately breach of contract would just get you a refund, it wouldn't get you in!

I hope they will clarify this one way or the other. It's either 20l or A4, it can't realistically be both.

 

[ge-gn]

I think the 20ltr thing is just an arbitrary figure just to get people to think about what they *really* need to bring and avoid people bringing in massive bags which can be troublesome in big crowds.

Last year I took my child to the Radio 2 festival in Preston. A 20ltr bag limit was placed on that event. On the day rain was forecast, so a needed to take waterproofs. Between those and a packed lunch and water for us both there was no chance of it fitting in a 20ltr pack.

I took a single 35ltr pack for us both. Breezed in, with a casual glance through my bag with no comment about its size.

I understand that this rule will be difficult for some, but if you keep it small it will be fine. Security will be too busy to look at the numbers on your bag.

 

[Defiance149]

08871 has moved across to Litchurch Lane from Loram (by road naturally!)

 

[Iskra]

91105 & 91110 hauled by 57008 through Crofton towards the event today.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think the 20ltr thing is just an arbitrary figure just to get people to think about what they *really* need to bring and avoid people bringing in massive bags which can be troublesome in big crowds.

Last year I took my child to the Radio 2 festival in Preston. A 20ltr bag limit was placed on that event. On the day rain was forecast, so a needed to take waterproofs. Between those and a packed lunch and water for us both there was no chance of it fitting in a 20ltr pack.

I took a single 35ltr pack for us both. Breezed in, with a casual glance through my bag with no comment about its size.

I understand that this rule will be difficult for some, but if you keep it small it will be fine. Security will be too busy to look at the numbers on your bag.

This is probably true, it's the A4 thing that is the issue. O2 venues at least do use a sizer for these and are as strict as Ryanair, but the context is different.

An A4 sized crossbody is maybe 5l at most, so the two statements are incompatible.

 

[sad1e]

Tickets for Ukrailtours "Greatest Gathering Special Train" have been sent out today.

 

[Trainman40083]

57008 + 91150 + 91110 on the way from Sheffield

 

[377electrostar]

387 101 will not be dragged to the Gathering today it seems. It moved to Harringay Up Rev Sdgs 37 minutes late and the service got cancelled there. Surprisingly with its pantograph up and 57 310 not in sight.

 

[Spartacus]

This is probably true, it's the A4 thing that is the issue. O2 venues at least do use a sizer for these and are as strict as Ryanair, but the context is different.

An A4 sized crossbody is maybe 5l at most, so the two statements are incompatible.

All things considered maybe A4 size is 71ftx9ftx13ft, and about 23,000l?

Using a template from a gig's a silly thing to do though. If I was going I'd be taking my three kids, who I wouldn't take to a big gig. I doubt fit the youngest's changing things & change of clothes into what I'd or my wife'd take to a gig.

 

[AlterEgo]

Apparently they're expecting over 40,000 visitors, although I don't know if infants needed their own tickets booked which might be enough to put the number over that.

They did need their own ticket.

 

[midland1]

387 101 will not be dragged to the Gathering today it seems. It moved to Harringay Up Rev Sdgs 37 minutes late and the service got cancelled there. Surprisingly with its pantograph up and 57 310 not in sight.

So far every thing I've gone out to see the weather has been naff or has been cancelled ie S. siddons . Still they have still to come back

 

[43096]

91105 & 91110 hauled by 57008 through Crofton towards the event today.

It is somewhat ironic that NRM-themed 91105 is going to this event, when the NRM (as far as I can see) has provided absolutely stuff-all for the Derby event.

 

[DEAN MURPHY]

Hello all
Does anybody have a spare ticket for Sunday as I have one for Friday but can’t go now. Happy to pay
Thank you
Dean

 

[50002Superb]

Looks like the consist from Eastleigh Arlington tomorrow might be worth turning out for.

 

[377electrostar]

The Class 350 drag to The Greatest Gathering is now on RealTimeTrains. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K41351/2025-07-30/detailed The 350 in question will be 350 106

 

[Branch Line S]

With thanks to our good friends at EPR, we have been advised of a change of locomotive for Shuttle Six. Class 37 37423 will now be replaced by Class 37 407. Shuttle Six also provides the opportunity to enjoy Freightliner Class 66 locomotives between Derby and Barrow Hill.

We have been advised that it is expected Derby station will be exceptionally busy and a queuing system may be in place. Access to the station will only be permitted for ticket holders / special ticket holders only. East Midlands Railway advises that you should allow extra time to navigate the station. As such, we advise all tickets for Branch Line Society special charter trains are purchased in advance on www.branchline.uk as pay on the day from Derby will not be available. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time so please be respectful to station staff and fellow passengers, and obey instructions given by staff and stewards.

 

[RealTrains07]

I'm still hopeful of a excellent event... ...however I'm not going to lie all this booking of tickets for sub-events just feels like such a faff. Whilst it will improve the experience for those who were online at just the right time to book them, mugs like myself have only just had a chance to book them and now can barely get a thing.

Also very disappointed that some days now appear to be better than others with some events only running on that day but there was no information at the time of booking.

Coupled to the tiny bag stuff for people who are expecting to walk around all day outside vs an inside sit down concert / football match coming out and a lot of the other event information just coming out now it feels like it's all being rushed together at the last minute.

Agreed, I’m also hopeful for the event and I look forward to attending on Friday.

Though with the poor handling, can’t help but feel a bit deflated about the whole thing. It was very last minute, timing was poor and releasing tickets for everything in one go was a poor decision by the organisers. Guess we will see how everything else goes organisation wise at the weekend.

I did get a booking for the 345 on the test track though, so I guess thats better than nothing?

 

[A S Leib]

We have been advised that it is expected Derby station will be exceptionally busy and a queuing system may be in place

As unsurprising as that is, I'd hope that doesn't lead to people, especially those with advance tickets, missing services as a result.

 

[Banham7]

Anyone know what happened with the 387 that was meant to be dragged today on https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K41213/2025-07-29/detailed? Unfortunately it seems that it was cancelled.

 

[Trackman]

55009 and D9015 plus 26007 from Barrow Hill being dragged by a 47 will not happen until tomorrow now, was scheduled for today. No timings yet.

 

[Tugclass60029]

Looks like the consist from Eastleigh Arlington tomorrow might be worth turning out for.

That should be 90018 in its new Freightliner livery hopefully

 

[Class15]

That should be 90018 in its new Freightliner livery hopefully

Correct. Hauled by a Freightliner diesel locomotive.

CORRECTION! 4 other locos on that, 57604, 59201, 66501 and 70008, if Railcam is correct!