Eurostar Power Car 3999 of Class 373 to Grace Our Company's Grand Assembly in Derby
The Greatest Gathering, a three-day charity festival, is set to be the world's largest-ever gathering of historic and modern rolling stock. As part of the festivities, the event will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, which opened on 27 September 1825.
One of the main attractions at The Greatest Gathering will be the Eurostar Class 373 power car 3999, a significant exhibit due to its role as part of the pioneering high-speed trains that connect London, Paris, and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel. Built by Alstom in 1996 at Belfort, France, the power car is capable of seamlessly operating in three countries using four different voltages and seven on-board signalling systems.
The power car 3999 will travel from East London to Litchurch Lane by road before The Greatest Gathering. At the event, it will be accompanied by a Class 390 Pendolino (390119 Progress) and a Class 43 (432159, the world's fastest diesel-powered locomotive). The power car 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.
Rob Whyte, Managing Director at Alstom UK and Ireland, highlighted the Eurostar power car 3999 as "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."
Other notable exhibits at The Greatest Gathering include the world's first steam locomotive to run on a public railway, the Flying Scotsman, as well as Locomotion No. 1 and a Derby-built Class 720 Aventra train.
In addition to the rolling stock exhibits, The Greatest Gathering will feature a unique touring exhibition train from Railway 200, as well as Dovetail Games bringing Train Sim World to the event. An artist in residence has also been announced for the festival.
A full list of exhibits for The Greatest Gathering can be found on the event's official website. The event takes place from August 1st to 3rd, 2025, in Derby, and all proceeds will go towards supporting local charities.
- The Eurostar Class 373 power car 3999, a smart symbol of international cooperation and ambitious partnerships within the industry, will be equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) for continued service on high-speed lines, showcasing sustainable advancements in transportation.
- In addition to the historic rolling stock exhibits, such as the world's first steam locomotive, the Flying Scotsman, and the Derby-built Class 720 Aventra train, The Greatest Gathering will feature modern innovations like the Dovetail Games' Train Sim World.
- The sustainable mobility movement in the transportation industry will be represented by the presence of electric trains like the Eurostar power car 3999, which seamlessly operates in three countries using various voltages and signalling systems.
- As finance plays a crucial role in supporting the growth of the smart mobility industry and transportation as a whole, proceeds from The Greatest Gathering charity festival will go towards supporting local charities, helping ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for the industry.
