photo: Daniel Christopher on X (Twitter)/The Greatest Gathering Railway 200 at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works
Alstom hosted The Greatest Gathering – the world’s largest event of historic and modern rail vehicles. The three-day charity event is part of Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825, the railway that began the era of modern rail transport.
"Alstom’s roots in the UK go back to 1825, when Locomotion No. 1 made its historic journey along the S&DR line. Through successive mergers, Robert Stephenson and Company – where Locomotion No. 1 was built – became part of Alstom in 1989. We are proud to carry on this legacy of innovation," said Rob Whyte, Managing Director of Alstom UK & Ireland.
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From 1 to 3 August, over 40,000 railway enthusiasts visited Alstom’s Derby site – the UK’s oldest and largest existing rolling stock factory. At its historic Litchurch Lane facility, visitors experienced more than 140 exhibits from the past, present, and future of rail transport. The site was open to the public for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Key attractions included a parade of steam locomotives, featuring the legendary Locomotion No. 1, the oldest operating locomotive in the UK (Furness Railway No. 20), the Midland Railway 1000 built in Derby, and the world-famous Flying Scotsman. Also on display were high-speed trains such as the Pendolino Class 390 Progress, Eurostar Car 3999, and Class 43 trains designed in Derby. Visitors could enjoy rides on a range of rolling stock, from steam engines to the modern Alstom Aventra. A special exhibition showcased the impact of railways on society and technology.
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Alstom – A History of Innovation Worldwide and in Poland
Alstom has a rich history of rail transport innovation. In 1971, it launched the world’s first automated people mover (APM) system. In 1976, it developed the first Pendolino tilting train, followed in 1978 by the first TGV high-speed train. In 1995, Alstom introduced the world’s only double-decker high-speed train. In 2003, it pioneered the communication-based train control (CBTC) system, revolutionizing public transport globally. In 2007, an Alstom-built TGV set a rail speed record of 574.8 km/h. Alstom also led the way in commercial deployment of hydrogen and battery-powered trains.
In Poland, Alstom proudly continues the long tradition of rolling stock manufacturing. The Wrocław plant, established in 1832, is one of the world’s oldest still-operating rail vehicle factories – predating the first railway line on present-day Polish territory (Wrocław–Oława, 1842). In 2024, the Alstom plant in Chorzów celebrated its 160th anniversary. Founded in 1864 as part of the former Huta Królewska steelworks, today it is one of the largest and most advanced Alstom factories worldwide.
The plants Alstom continues to operate in Poland were the birthplace of key rail innovations – from the Konstal N, the first post-war tram, to the legendary EN57, considered the world’s longest-produced rail vehicle (1962–1993). Alstom also delivered Poland’s first high-speed train, the Pendolino, which began passenger service in 2014 and set the Polish rail speed record of 293 km/h during testing in 2013. In 2021, Alstom operated Poland’s first hydrogen passenger train, the Coradia iLint.
Key Polish Rail Anniversaries in 2026
"The Railway 200 celebration is an incredible event that inspires Alstom teams worldwide, including in Poland. Two centuries ago, a great innovation began that revolutionized not only passenger transport but also economic and social relations. At Alstom, we are proud of the generations of employees whose knowledge and dedication shaped the history of Polish and global railways. Today, over 4,700 employees in Poland are building the trains of the future – greener, more efficient, and accessible to all," said Beata Rusinowicz, Managing Director of Alstom in Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic States.
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Next year will bring not only milestones for Alstom, but also for the entire Polish rail industry. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Polish State Railways (PKP). In 1926, legal reforms established PKP as a commercially operated entity, enabling the unification of the three rail systems inherited from the partitioning powers.
In 2026, Alstom’s Katowice branch – today one of Europe’s largest producers of modern railway control systems – will also celebrate its 100th anniversary.