As an extraordinary and electrifying showpiece of engineering excellence, Eurostar Class 373 power car 3999 will be one of the centre pieces at Alstom’s exclusive “The Greatest Gathering” exhibition this coming August in Derby. The mythic power car, capable of up to 186 mph (300 km/h), will steal the show at the exhibition, exemplifying the crucial role that global high-speed railways serve in global interconnectivity and sustainable transport.

Scheduled to take place from 1 to 3 August 2025, on Alstom’s Litchurch Lane historic site at Derby, The Greatest Gathering plays a major part of the Railway 200 celebrations, which mark the 200th anniversary date of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. This seminal date was instrumental in giving birth to the railway as we know it today, and The Greatest Gathering shall prove to be the biggest-ever assembly on earth of vintage and modern rolling stock. The Greatest Gathering shall gather over 100 vehicles from the entire history of railway transport, not only featuring the vintage and classic steam locomotives and trains, yet innovative modern rolling stock among them.

The Eurostar 3999 power car, one peculiar member of the Class 373 stock, was originally built in 1996 by French builder Belfort, then an Alstom plant. The power car has since traveled just under 38,000 km, serving as a standby and spares to other power cars that have undergone extensive rebuilds. As other Eurostar sets have accumulated over 7 million km on passengers, the age and lifespan of 3999 make this a curious artifact from railway history.

The attendees from The Greatest Gathering will get to witness this piece of Eurostar history up close, offering a rare treat to ride a high-speed train outside its usual cross-border routes between Paris, Brussels, and London via the Channel Tunnel. The look of the power car serves to highlight the crucial role that railways have played to bring people together over borders, symbolically to embody engineering aspiration and international cooperation.

The 373, or Trans Manche Super Train (TMST), is an Alstom Avelia series high-speed train. The 18-car, 400-meter-long trains, launched in 1994, have provided intercity service between major cities within three countries, moving smoothly between different voltages and signaling systems. The trains, which are a tour de force of engineering, allow passengers to travel efficiently, securely, and sustainably.
Rob Whyte, Managing Director, UK and Ireland, Alstom, was keen to report that The Greatest Gathering would comprise the Eurostar 3999, commenting, “We’re thrilled to welcome the Eurostar power car to The Greatest Gathering. It’s not just an exceptional piece of engineering; it’s an icon of international cooperation and a symbol of the railway industry’s capacity when ambition and cooperation combine.” He added that thanks went to Eurostar for permission to include the power car in the celebration.

Alstom’s Greatest Assembly is not just a promotion of high-speed railway, but equally an tribute to the wider history of railway travel and its enduring legacy. Alongside the Eurostar 3999, there will be other famous rolling stock, like the globally renowned steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, and the pioneer locomotive on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, Locomotion No. 1. Both these legendary trains will be an integral part to highlight the historical development of railway transport.
As well as the exhibits on historic trains, The Greatest Gathering will contain the very latest modern trains, such as the Class 720 Aventra, which shows the latest advances in railway technology. The exhibit, which marks the ongoing evolution of railway travel, aims to encourage generations to come to embrace the possibilities that exist within sustainable, high-speed transport networks.

The fact that the Eurostar Class 373 power car features in this list pays tribute to the major role that Alstom has played in the development of the contemporary railway industry. The fact that Alstom was involved in the development of Eurostar trains, which join London, Paris, and Brussels, serves to show that the company has long been dedicated to improving railway technology, improving connections, and leading the transition to greener means of transport.

Once the Greatest Gathering concludes, the Eurostar 3999 power car will return to its regular service, though this time fitted with the European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling equipment to permit its continued operation on Europe’s high-speed lines. This follows Eurostar’s ongoing work to enhance the efficiency and safety of its service, paving the way to continue and future-proof its service offering in the field of high-speed travel.

The Greatest Gathering, held on Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site in Derby, provides an unusual opportunity to witness the history and the future of railway all within one location. The site, which has been closed to the general public for nearly 50 years, will be opened to the public once, which will offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to witness among the largest trains of the world all within one location.