The Greatest Gathering
- nigeljulian
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
As the dust settles after an amazing three days it’s time to relax a little today and reflect on the biggest railway event most of us will ever see in our lifetimes, a project which like many great ideas began with a conversation over a few beers in the pub.
The DPS would like to thank each and every single person involved in the planning, preparation, and execution of each and every aspect of the Greatest Gathering. Many of who burned the midnight oil on countless nights putting this all together and getting all the exhibits to Derby. The process of getting them all back to their home bases is already underway and will last a few days.
The convoy from Barrow Hill to Derby on July 30th saw D9015 back on the mainline for the first time since May 1996, a huge milestone in itself! The loco was open for cab visits throughout the weekend with a constant queue of people waiting to get onboard. We hope the wait was worth it.
55009 stood proud in its Finsbury Park white cab livery, new for 2025, and now carries a commemorative plaque reminiscent of the Rainhill Trials one famously carried by 55015 for the last couple of years in BR service.
Unfortunately, shunting had to be curtailed extremely late in the day on the night of the 31/7,1/8 which meant that 55019 and the Hymek were unable to be moved around into the main display area but it was at least visible in its position around the back of one of the main sheds.
The sales stand did well and the donations for cab visits to Tulyar will come in extremely handy with each and every £1 going to the upkeep of our three Deltics. We are all volunteers giving our time and efforts for free and we enjoy doing what we do.
A bonus of the event being over three days meant that many of us were able to spend time together socially as opposed to just meeting in a work environment which is something we rarely get to do.
Tulyar and Alycidon are pathed to move back to Barrow Hill on Monday 4th with 55019 going back to the GCR later in the week where it’s next scheduled workings are at the Railways at Work Gala on August 16/17th.
The volunteers are straight back into it with a working party on Tuesday 5th. No rest for the wicked.
The DPS depot, along with the Barrow Hill Roundhouse site will be open as usual on Saturday and Sunday with 55009 and D9015 in attendance.
Thanks to everyone for supporting the society and our locomotives and we hope to see you all again soon.
