Trains of thought

RICHARD WILCOCK joins the thousands at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane facility to celebrate 200 years of railway history

‘Black Five’ No. 44932, ‘A3’ No. 60103 ...

Stood alone inside Derby Litchurch Lane at 07.30 on Saturday, August 2, day two of The Greatest Gathering, the biggest railway event in decades, it was eerily quiet. It wouldn’t be like this in 30, 60

When we are asked who invented the railways, we can confidently say we did – Britain. But precisely who was involved and how it all developed is a long story. By the end of the 18th century, the Indus

It’s been billed as ‘The Glastonbury of Railways’ and the largest collection of historic and contemporary railway vehicles ever assembled. But how did it originate, and what was involved in putting it together? GARY ESSEX looks at the background and logistics of holding The Greatest Gathering.

Whether you love the romance of rail, the thrill of the bullet train or the train-spotting buzz, September is all about celebrations to mark 200 years since the birth of rail travel