"The Greatest Gathering", 1-3 August 2025
- Simon O'Donovan
- Jul 31
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 3
“Trains are wonderful.... To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life.” Agatha Christie
"The Greatest Gathering" is a major railway event taking place from August 1-3, 2025, in Derby, UK, as part of the "Railway 200" celebrations. The main event, hosted by Alstom, is being held at the historic Derby Litchurch Lane Works. This CST activities page aims to celebrate 200 years of railways.
Introduction
Everyone will have travelled by train at some time or another. Railway journeys can be thrilling, romantic or hum drum if going on holiday, on honeymoon or to work. But everyone will have a train story to tell. Use this session to help members focus on reminiscence and story telling.
Begin the session with a few open questions...
- Who likes travelling by train? What is so good about it?
- Does anyone remember travelling on a steam train? What was it like?
- What is the best railway journey you ever went on, either at home or overseas?
Ask for train related recollections. Here's mine ...
When I was a boy, Mum and Dad took us on holiday to York. As we lived in Newport, that seemed like such a long way away. We never really ventured far in those days, being a family of six boys (I'm the youngest). We regularly had holidays in Barry, as all our grandparents lived there and weekend visits were very frequent. So anyway, as I was an avid train spotter Mum and Dad thought it would be nice while we were in York to get a day trip on a train. British Rail used to do these 'Magical Mystery Tours'. You didn't know where you were headed and there was a prize for the first person to guess the right destination on route. Guess where we ended up? Barry Island, of course. A few rides on the funfair, fish and chips, an iced cream, hello to Nan and Alma, then back to York! Smashing!
I used to love exploring the 'Barry Railway Graveyard'. Fortunately, most of the trains there were saved and refurbished for heritage railways.
IDIOMS
Next ask members to complete these well known phrases together, by way of a shout out ...
Lose your train of THOUGHT
Ride the gravy TRAIN
Back on the right TRACK
Let the train take the STRAIN
One track MIND
Toe the party LINE
Light at the end of the TUNNEL
Just the TICKET
Letting off STEAM
Tunnel VISION
Draw a line in the SAND
Hook, line and SINKER
Lose track of TIME
Station MASTER
Signal BOX
Give it the green LIGHT
The end of the LINE
Slow COACH
Mind the GAP!
All CHANGE!
Full steam AHEAD
Life is a journey not a DESTINATION
With that last proverb in mind, here is a poem to share with your group ...
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Round 1. General Knowledge
In 1830, which locomotive built by George Stephenson became the first ever commercial train?
How fast could it go?
Which steam train could go faster, 'The Flying Scotsman' or 'Mallard'?
How fast could they go?
How fast could this iconic diesel train travel?
Which British architect created many of our railways bridges and tunnels (full name)?
How many litres of fresh spring water are pumped out of the Severn Tunnel each day? a. 10 million, b. 25 million or c. 50 million (equivalent to 20 Olympic sized swimming pools)
Name this famous railway bridge?
How much money was stolen in the 'Great British Train Robbery' of 1963?
What are the names of the busiest railway stations in the following cities: (a) Bristol, (b) Edinburgh, and (c) London?
How fast can the 'Eurostar' travel (it is the fastest train in Britain)?
& From which station does it depart?
Factoid. May 6th 2024 marked its 30th anniversary?
How long is the Channel Tunnel, the longest undersea tunnel in the world?
What nickname was given to the 'Shinkansen' high-speed trains of Japan because of their appearance and speed?
What is the name of the biggest model railway manufacturer in Britain?
Name the four stations in a game of 'Monopoly'?
Name this mountain railway?
What is this type of railway called?
From which North Wales seaside resort does the 'Great Orme Tramway' ride from?
Who is this model railway enthusiast?
Which children and dog advertise GWR?
Also, watch the video and try and remember the places visited?
Here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QpfQARH2Js
Round 2. TV
Name this driver & his train?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E21IBtVBwW8
Name the character?
And the author who created him?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkB3F4-NI8A
Name the character?
And the train driver?
TV Theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrSv1ZSmwNk
Name the TV show?
Name the actress?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnQr1u21GUI
Name the man and his dog?
Here is the 'Train Chase' segment from the movie 'The Wrong Trousers' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrmZIgVoQw4
Name the TV show?
Name the presenter and the guide book?
Name the TV show?
The 'Bluebell Heritage Railway' is used for filming. Does anyone know where it is?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3xnUdt5Zm0
Name the TV show?
And the presenter?
Who undertook a 'Trans Siberian Adventure'?
Have a guess at where the railway starts and ends, and how long it is?
SONG. 'The Runaway Train', Michael Holliday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7_IMEvr9ek
What is the name given to the brake on a train that automatically kicks in if the driver lets it go?
Round 3. Movies
In this round, all you have to do in to name the movie. Some clues are provided ...
1945 movie starring Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard.
"Criss cross" murder. 1951 Hitchcock movie.
1957 epic war movie about POW building a railway bridge.
1963 James Bond movie starring Sean Connery.
Here is the movie song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwLXDv6jXr4
1966 movie about a girl's school committing robbery.
1970 movie starring Jenny Agutter & Bernard Cribbins, as the station master Albert Perks.
1987 Thanksgiving movie starring Steve Martin & John Candy.
1987 movie about a nagging mother starring Billy Crystal & Danny DeVito.
2001 movie featuring the 'Hogwart's Express' departing King's Cross platform 9 3/4.
2004 Christmas movie starring Tom Hanks.
2010 movie starring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot.
2014 movie featuring a bear from Peru who likes marmalade sandwiches.
Here he is with the late Queen ...
Round 4. London Underground
How many Londoners sought shelter in the London Underground during WW2?
How many of the 11 underground lines can you name?
What words are said every time you board and leave the tube?
👼
🧸
🐤⚓️
👏🐷
🔨🧲
🙈🅿️📐
🤴🤴🤬
🐘➕🏰
💦🚽
🐂🚗🎪
🧑🍳🏘️
💈🥫
🧀🔲
💂🐦⬛⛰️
⬅️🔔
How many of these 15 London Underground stations hidden in emoji code can you name?
Which city's underground railway is called the 'Metro'?
What is New York's underground railway called?
SONG. 'Morningtown Ride', The Seekers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-RkC6MYT2E
Which Radio 4 game show, hosted by Nicholas Parsons, had a round called 'Mornington Crescent'?
Some More Song Choices
SINGALONG. 'Choo Choo Ch'Boogie', Bill Haley & The Comets - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meg_PhA3ma4
VIDEO BREAK
Here is an excellent 'Brief Encounter' parody sketch by the cast of 'Goodness Gracious Me' ...
PRACTICAL ACTIVITY
One suggestion is to have a go at a group dance, either stood or seated (there are lots of arm movements), following some of the moves in the 'Jai Ho' dance at the end of the movie 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE'. Here it is ...
(THIS VIDEO CONTAINS FILM TITLES IN THE DANCE ROUTINE, BUT IS HIGH QUALITY)
(THIS VIDEO CONTAINS THE FULL DANCE SEQUENCE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, BUT IS LOWER QUALITY)
Or you could make a paper chain ... and use it to decorate the room
Or, indeed, you could make a paper train ...
This book was an essential for train spotters. Are there any in your group?
ROUND 1
In 1830, which locomotive built by George Stephenson became the first ever commercial train? 'THE ROCKET'
How fast could it go? 30 MPH
Which steam train could go faster, 'The Flying Scotsman' or 'Mallard'? 'MALLARD'
How fast could they go? 126 MPH
How fast could this iconic diesel train travel? 'INTERCITY 125'. IT COULD ACTUALLY REACH 148.5 MPH
Which British architect created many of our railways bridges and tunnels (full name)? ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL
How many litres of fresh spring water are pumped out of the Severn Tunnel each day? a. 10 million, b. 25 million or c. 50 million (equivalent to 20 Olympic sized swimming pools). 50 MILLION
Name this famous railway bridge? 'THE FORTH BRIDGE' WHICH CROSSES 'THE FIRTH OF FORTH'
How much money was stolen in the 'Great British Train Robbery' of 1963? £2.6M (WORTH ABOUT £60M IN 2023)
What are the names of the busiest railway stations in the following cities: (a) Bristol, (b) Edinburgh, and (c) London? 'TEMPLE MEADS', 'WAVERLEY' & 'WATERLOO' ('WATERLOO' HAS AN ANNUAL FOOTFALL OF 94.2M PASSENGERS)
How fast can the 'Eurostar' travel (it is the fastest train in Britain)? 186 MPH
& From which station does it depart? ST PANCRAS
Factoid. May 6th 2024 marked its 30th anniversary?
How long is the Channel Tunnel, the longest undersea tunnel in the world? 31 MILES
What nickname was given to the 'Shinkansen' high-speed trains of Japan because of their appearance and speed? 'THE BULLET'
What is the name of the biggest model railway manufacturer in Britain? 'HORNBY'
Name the four stations in a game of 'Monopoly'? FENCHURCH STREET, LIVERPOOL STREET, MARYLEBONE & KING'S CROSS
Name this mountain railway? 'SNOWDON MOUNTAIN RAILWAY'
What is this type of railway called? FUNICULAR RAILWAY (IN LYNTON/LYNMOUTH)
From which North Wales seaside resort does the 'Great Orme Tramway' ride from? LLANDUDNO
Who is this model railway enthusiast? ROD STEWART
Which children and dog advertise GWR? 'THE FAMOUS FIVE' (CHARACTERS CREATED BY ENID BLYTON) & TIMMY (THEY LIKED TO DRINK LASHINGS OF GINGER BEER)
Also, watch the video and try and remember the places visited? OXFORD, BATH, CARDIFF, BRISTOL (CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE), EXETER & LONDON (PADDINGTON FOR GWR TRAINS)
ROUND 2 ANSWERS
Name this driver & his train? CASEY JONES & 'THE CANNONBALL EXPRESS'
Name the character? THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE
And the author who created him? REV. WILBERT AWDRY
Name the character? IVOR THE ENGINE
And the train driver? JONES THE STEAM
Name the TV show? 'OH DOCTOR BEECHING'
Name the actress? SUE POLLARD
Name the man and his dog? 'WALLACE AND GROMIT'
Name the TV show? 'GREAT BRITISH RAILWAY JOURNEYS'
Name the presenter and the guide book? MICHAEL PORTILLO / 'BRADSHAW'S GUIDE'
Name the TV show? 'DOWNTON ABBEY'
The 'Bluebell Heritage Railway' is used for filming. Does anyone know where it is? WEST SUSSEX
Name the TV show? 'AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS'
And the presenter? MICHAEL PALIN
Who undertook a 'Trans Siberian Adventure'? JOANNA LUMLEY
Have a guess at where the railway starts and ends, and how long it is? MOSCOW - VLADIVOSTOK / 5753 MILES
What is the name given to the brake on a train that automatically kicks in if the driver lets it go? DEAD MAN'S HANDLE
ROUND 3 ANSWERS
1945 movie starring Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard. 'BRIEF ENCOUNTER'
"Criss cross" murder. 1951 Hitchcock movie. 'STRANGERS ON A TRAIN'
1957 epic war movie about POW building a railway bridge. 'THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI'
1963 James Bond movie starring Sean Connery. 'FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE'
1966 movie about a girl's school committing robbery. 'GREAT ST. TRINIAN'S TRAIN ROBBERY'
1970 movie starring Jenny Agutter & Bernard Cribbins, as the station master Albert Perks. 'THE RAILWAY CHILDREN'
1987 Thanksgiving movie starring Steve Martin & John Candy. 'PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES'
1987 movie about a nagging mother starring Billy Crystal & Danny DeVito. 'THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN'
2001 movie featuring the 'Hogwart's Express' departing King's Cross platform 9 3/4. 'HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE'
2004 Christmas movie starring Tom Hanks. 'THE POLAR EXPRESS'
2010 movie starring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. 'MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS'
2014 movie featuring a bear from Peru who likes marmalade sandwiches. 'PADDINGTON'
Which Radio 4 game show, hosted by Nicholas Parsons, had a round called 'Mornington Crescent'? 'SORRY I HAVEN'T A CLUE'
ROUND 4 ANSWERS
How many Londoners sought shelter in the London Underground during WW2?
63 MILLION
How many of the 11 underground lines can you name?
BAKERLOO, CENTRAL, CIRCLE, DISTRICT, HAMMERSMITH & CITY, JUBILEE, METROPOLITAN, NORTHERN, PICCADILLY, VICTORIA, AND WATERLOO & CITY LINES
👼 - Angel
🧸 - Paddington
🐤⚓️ - Canary Wharf
👏🐷 - Clapham
🔨🧲 - Hammersmith
🙈🅿️📐 - Hyde Park Corner
🤴🤴🤬 - Kings Cross
🐘➕🏰 - Elephant & Castle
💦🚽 - Waterloo
🐂🚗🎪 - Oxford Circus
🧑🍳🏘️ - Baker Street
💈🥫 - Barbican
🧀🔲 - Leicester Square
💂🐦⬛⛰️ Tower Hill
⬅️🔔 Westminter
Which city's underground railway is called the 'Metro'? PARIS
What is New York's underground railway called? 'THE SUBWAY'
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