Ticket sales resume for major train gathering event

Ticket sales for a major gathering of historic railway vehicles have resumed after they were suspended last week due to "unprecedented demand".

Derby train manufacturer Alstom said its third-party ticket provider website "struggled to cope" with sales from "around the world" and paused traffic last Thursday.

A new ticketing partner, based in Nottingham, will now handle the online sales for the Greatest Gathering event, which will take place in August, it said.

Alstom will be opening its factory for the first time in more than 50 years to showcase a number of vintage trains - celebrating the 200th anniversary of the world's first passenger train service.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Those who managed to secure a ticket last week before we temporarily suspended sales will automatically receive replacement e-tickets in due course from the new booking system."

The BBC understands the event, taking place between 1 and 3 August at Derby Litchurch Lane, had interest from people in Australia, Canada and other countries.

More than 50 rolling stock exhibits from the past, present and future of the railways will be on display, featuring a combination of those powered by steam, diesel and electricity.

The event will feature rides along Derby's test track, and a variety of narrow-gauge trains will be in operation. Fairground attractions, street food and live music will also feature.

Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event, which will form part of the wider Railway 200 festivities.

The industry is embarking on a year-long celebration named Railway 200 to mark the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in north-east England on 27 September 1825, which is credited as being the birth of the modern railway.

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