The Greatest Gathering Presentation
Thursday 14 May
We’re delighted to be joined by members of the Greatest Gathering organising team, who will share an illustrated talk at The Engine House on how they planned and delivered the largest ever railway event in the UK in Derby in August 2025, to celebrate Railway 200.
Purchase tickets online in advance, or from Kidderminster Station Booking Office on the day of travel.
The evening event will be hosted by SVR managing director Gus Dunster, who played a key role on the organising committee for the Greatest Gathering. He will be joined by a distinguished panel representing a wide cross-section of the modern railway:
• Tim Shoveller, Chair, Heavy Haul Rail
• Richard Corser, Charters and Special Traffic Manager, DB Cargo UK
• Mike Lamport, Railway 200 Steering Group
• Bronnie Clarke, Head of Control, East Midlands Route, Network Rail
• Matthew Thompson, Fleet Manager, Rail Operations Group
• James Shuttleworth, West Coast Railways
• Andrew Skinner, Head of Engineering, Great Western Railway
The panel discussion will be moderated by Richard Bowker CBE of Green Signals Productions and this one-off event is not to be missed!
The evening also includes an illustrated talk featuring Gus Dunster, James Dobson, Richard Stanton, Simon Turner, Andy Doyle and Jason Nash of the core volunteer organising team, the session will revisit the planning and delivery of the Greatest Gathering, offering a behind-the-scenes perspective on how the record-breaking event was brought to life.
Taking place on Thursday 14 May, this event is limited to 200 places and demand is expected to be high, so book early to avoid disappointment. There’ll be a meet and greet at Kidderminster Station with the organising team before departure at 5.30pm, as well as access to the locomotive cabs. The special train will be hauled by a Class 57 to Highley, returning with a Class 50.
Tickets are £25pp, including train travel from Kidderminster to Highley and return and entry to The Engine House for the presentation and panel session. Food and drink will be available at The Engine House (additional charges apply), alongside a selection of bespoke Greatest Gathering merchandise. The return train arrives back at Kidderminster at 10pm.
Proceeds will be divided between the Greatest Gathering Charities and the Severn Valley Railway. Online sales close at 5.30pm on the day. Tickets can also be purchased from the Booking Offices.
