Model railway creation by Pete Waterman set for The Greatest Gathering at Derby, our company's event
The city of Derby is set to host an exciting event next month as The Greatest Gathering, a railway extravaganza, takes place at the historic Litchurch Lane Site. This event forms part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Central to the Model Railway Village, a collaboration between our company and Key Model World, is Pete Waterman's 64 ft-long OO-gauge recreation of Milton Keynes Central railway station. Pete Waterman, a British music producer and television personality, is also known for his passion for model railways. His "Making Tracks 3" model railway is a highly detailed and interactive layout that continues the tradition of previous installations.
The "Making Tracks 3" model railway is set to be a major highlight of The Greatest Gathering. Visitors can enjoy the immersive layout, which includes fun surprises, interactive light features, and a holiday-themed atmosphere with characters like Mr & Mrs Claus and the Grinch. This layout, previously showcased at locations like Chester Cathedral, promises to be both educational and awe-inspiring.
Key Model World is debuting a new model railway layout at The Greatest Gathering, based on a section of Derby Litchurch Lane Works. The new OO gauge layout is being built with new laser-cut modular building kits developed by PJM Models. These building kits will be available for purchase at The Greatest Gathering on the Key Model World stand in the Model Railway Village.
Derby Litchurch Lane Works, covering 90 acres, is the only UK facility that designs, engineers, builds, and tests trains for domestic and export markets. The site of the Litchurch Lane Works, one of the world's largest rolling stock factories, will be open to the public for the first time in almost 50 years during The Greatest Gathering. Over 100 rolling stock exhibits from the past, present, and future of the railways will be present at The Greatest Gathering.
In addition to the model railways, The Greatest Gathering will feature up to 20 trade stands offering product insights from leading brands. Mick Bryan's Deadmans Lane, Eric French's London Underground layout, and Mark Pearson's Welby Lane RTC are some other highlights in the Model Railway Village.
Pete Waterman encourages both seasoned modellers and newcomers to visit the Model Railway Village at The Greatest Gathering. He has also announced plans to launch a new model kit based on our company's Derby Litchurch Lane Works. A full series build of the Derby Litchurch Lane Works model will be featured in Key Publishing's Hornby Magazine from July-September.
Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of model railways at The Greatest Gathering in Derby. The event takes place on Friday 1, Saturday 2, and Sunday 3 August 2025.
References:
- Pete Waterman's Making Tracks
- Making Tracks 3
- Making Tracks at Chester Cathedral
- Pete Waterman's Making Tracks
- Making Tracks 3
- Pete Waterman's "Making Tracks 3" model railway, a sustainable and interactive layout, showcases a lifestyle that blends smart technology with home-and-garden elements, making it a must-see at The Greatest Gathering.
- At The Greatest Gathering, Key Model World introduces a smart model railway layout, replicating a section of Derby Litchurch Lane Works, which integrates well with the growing trend of sustainable mobility.
- The Model Railway Village in Derby's The Greatest Gathering presents a range of layouts, including Pete Waterman's, demonstrating how model railways can contribute to an eco-friendly, sustainable lifestyle, highlighting the fusion of home-and-garden, mobility, and technology.
