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• Alstom-built Eurostar unit will highlight rail’s international importance at the Railway 200 event;
• The Eurostar 3999 power car, which travels up to 186 mph (300 km/h) in service, will spearhead the event’s high-speed lineup.
Built by Alstom in 1996 at Belfort, France, visitors to the event will have the rare opportunity to see up close a high-speed train that symbolises cross-border collaboration, engineering ambition, and the power of rail to bring people and countries closer together.
Alstom’s three-day charity festival in Derby will be the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern rolling stock. It forms part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 and a journey that gave birth to the modern railway.
The first locomotive to run on the S&DR, Locomotion No. 1 which will also be appearing at The Greatest Gathering was built by the Newcastle upon Tyne-based Robert Stephenson and Company. It was the first company in the world created specifically to build railway engines. Through successive mergers, Robert Stephenson and Company became part of Alstom in 1989, giving the company a direct link to the dawn of the railways and making it the custodian of a unique legacy.
The Eurostar Class 373 or Trans Manche Super Train (TMST) and now known as the e300 is part of Alstom’s family of Avelia high-speed electric trains. Since 1994, the Class 373s have been connecting passengers between the cities of London, Paris and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel, at speeds of up to 186 mph (300 km/h).
The 400m-long 18-coach articulated trains are capable of seamlessly operating in three countries using four different voltages and seven on-board signalling systems.
“We are excited to welcome the Eurostar power car to The Greatest Gathering. It’s not just a remarkable feat of engineering, it’s a symbol of international cooperation and a reminder of what the railway industry can achieve through ambition and partnership,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director at Alstom UK and Ireland.
He added: “We’re hugely grateful to Eurostar for making it possible to include this piece of living railway history in our celebrations.”
Power car 3999 was built in 1996 as a spare, clocking up almost 38,000 km in service when other power cars have required major works. In comparison, other e300 sets have racked up over 7,000, 000 kms in passenger operation. Based at Temple Mills International Depot (and North Pole International prior to 2007), the 3999 will be shown to the public for the first time outside of its international services. This marks a unique moment to see a Eurostar train that is rarely visible outside its cross-border routes.
Once it returns from Derby, 3999 will be prepared for the digital generation with the fitment of the European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling equipment for continued service on high-speed lines.
“We’re pleased to support The Greatest Gathering by loaning power car 3999 offering the public a rare glimpse of a Eurostar unit that’s played a behind-the-scenes role in our operations. It’s a fitting way to reflect on three decades of international rail travel and our continued investment in sustainable high-speed connections,” said Hayley Farrar, Head of Engineering at Eurostar.
The Greatest Gathering takes place on Friday 1, Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August 2025 at Alstom’s historic Litchurch Lane Site in Derby. Britain’s biggest and oldest remaining train factory will be home to more than 100 rolling stock exhibits from the past, present and future of the railways, with the site itself opening to the public for the first time in almost 50 years.
Power car 3999 will make the journey to Litchurch Lane by road, travelling shortly before The Greatest Gathering from its home in East London. The unit will lead a high-speed line-up at the event that will include an Alstom-built Class 390 Pendolino (390119 Progress) and a Class 43 (432159, the world's fastest diesel-powered locomotive). Fittingly, the latter will appear with a set of Mark 3 carriages, which were built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works.
Eurostar’s inclusion comes a week after Alstom confirmed that the world-famous steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, would also be attending The Greatest Gathering with a final batch of 7,500 tickets also released for sale. The record-breaking locomotive will be joined by Locomotion No. 1 and a Derby-built Class 720 Aventra train as part of The Greatest Gathering’s stellar lineup.
ALSTOM™, Avelia™ and Avelia Horizon™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.
About Alstom
Alstom (alstom.com) commits to contribute to a low carbon future by developing and promoting innovative and sustainable transportation solutions that people enjoy riding. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. With its presence in 63 countries and a talent base of over 86,000 people from 184 nationalities, the company focuses its design, innovation, and project management skills to where mobility solutions are needed most. Listed in France, Alstom generated sales of €18.5 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2025.
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ben.goodwin[.]alstomgroup.com 
