Reminder: The Greatest Gathering: EMR shares top tips for those attending or enthusiasts wanting to enjoy the event
- EMR has shared top tips for people attending the Greatest Gathering or for those wanting to share the fun
- Best route to the event from the station shared
- Customers should expect services to busy and are advised to allow extra time to make their journey
- Customers asked to use the Derby station underpass - which has been revitalised and now features new local artwork and railway history boards
- Don't have tickets to The Greatest Gathering? Consider a platform ticket and be part of the fun or head to the free railway themed event at Derby's new Market Hall
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 our 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. We are expecting large crowds, particularly with football fixtures also taking place in the region (including Derby County vs Atromitos on Saturday). Please plan ahead, use public transport to get to your station and allow plenty of time for your journey to avoid delays - to help use our our website or mobile app for real-time updates and journey planning.
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.
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
Don't have tickets to The Greatest Gathering? Consider a platform ticket or head to Derby's Market Hall for a railway themed extravaganza
We are 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 up the atmosphere of this special occasion.
Platform tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the station. We are asking for a voluntary cash donation in aid of Dementia UK — there is no set amount. These tickets 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 expected to be 30 and 31 July.
As part of The Greatest Gathering, a free fringe event is taking place at Derby’s newly refurbished Market Hall.
The hall was designed by Elmslie and Ewan Christian, with its vast single-span iron roof structure manufactured by Handyside & Co of Derby — a prominent ironworks closely linked to railway infrastructure. This type of engineering was a precursor to the even grander Barlow train shed at St Pancras, completed just a year later in 1867–68.
The Market Hall event - in partnership with Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership - features model railways, train-themed board games, and railway heritage displays. And of course, there’ll be plenty of tasty street food vendors to enjoy along the way.
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.”