- Procession led by drag performers showcased the rail industry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Avanti West Coast and Elizabeth line trains appeared at the event with bespoke Pride liveries
07 August 2025 – LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies from across the UK rail industry have marched together in the world’s first Pride parade on a train. Held at Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering festival in Derby – the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains – the procession showcased rail’s proud commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Those marching across Derby Litchurch Lane Works represented various railway-related companies including Alstom, Angel Trains, AtkinsRéalis, Avanti West Coast, Hitachi Rail and Transport for London (TfL). They were led by fierce drag performers: Alexander Garnett-Scherer, Senior Operations Manager at TfL – known as Connie Tactless ‘Mother of Oyster’; Lee Nicholson-Brown, London Underground train driver – aka Lady Felicia; and Medusa Has Been, described as the ‘newest oldest showgirl in town’.
After a procession across the 90-acre train factory site, the colourful cavalcade paused for a photoshoot in front of Avanti West Coast’s Pride Pendolino No. 390119 ‘Progress’. Unveiled in 2020, it is the first train in the UK to be fully wrapped in the progressive Pride flag. The procession then continued on to the train itself.
Following this, the parade moved towards the 1.6 km-long Test Track that curves around Alstom’s Derby site. Here, marchers boarded a Class 345 Aventra train – designed, engineered, manufactured and tested at Litchurch Lane. Normally, the train serves passengers on London’s transformational Elizabeth line, but it returned to Derby for the weekend to offer rides for visitors to The Greatest Gathering.
Fittingly, the unit chosen to attend the event – No. 345055 – has carried its own ‘trainbow’ since 2023, making it another perfect vehicle to host the second parade on a train at The Greatest Gathering. A special announcement then signified to passengers the historical significance of the journey, which attracted cheers from the hundreds on board who had witnessed the spectacle.
The parade was co-ordinated by Journey, a not-for-profit organisation for LGBTQ+ professionals working in the transport sector.
“It was magical to be part of the world’s first train-borne Pride event at The Greatest Gathering. It was the result of a collaboration across the UK transport industry through the network of LGBTQ+ networks, Journey,” said Alstom’s Pippa Armstrong and TfL’s Joe Brown, Co-Chairs of Journey.
They added: “In a climate where LGBTQ+ rights are being eroded both here and abroad, visibility is more important than ever to show that LGBTQ+ people are safe and welcome in our industry, both as colleagues and customers.”
Over three days (1-3 August 2025), Alstom welcomed over 40,000 railfans from around the globe at its Derby factory. The trainmaker’s sold-out charity extravaganza formed part of the wider festivities for Railway 200, a year-long celebration marking the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) on 27 September 1825 – and a journey that gave birth to the modern railway. It also marked the first time in almost 50 years that the Derby factory had opened its doors to the public.
Organisers specifically asked for both Pride-liveried units to be on display at The Greatest Gathering to showcase the diversity of Britain’s rail industry, and provide a safe, inclusive and visible space for railfans attending the world’s biggest-ever train festival. The Greatest Gathering Pride parade took place on the afternoon of Saturday 2 August.
In 2018, Alstom UK and Ireland founded its own employee resource group for LGBTQ+ staff and their allies – Voices of Pride+ – with its aim to empower everyone to be their most authentic self in the workplace.
As the UK’s leading supplier of new rolling stock and train services, other Alstom vehicles carry a trainbow, including East Midland Railway’s Class 158 Express Sprinter 158773, West Midlands Railway’s Class 730 Aventra 730018 – named ‘Hurst Street’ in honour of Birmingham’s Gay Village – and a Turbostar and a Voyager unit, both operated by CrossCountry. Meanwhile, Nottingham Express Transit’s Tram 213 and several of the 147 Alstom-built trams for Manchester Metrolink have also carried a ‘trambow’.
Alongside supporting Pride celebrations in the communities it serves, Alstom works with charity Micro Rainbow, which benefits LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees. As part of the company’s Community Project Fund, Alstom funds a Moving On Officer at Micro Rainbow; their role offers one-to-one support in helping find employment, accessing skills training and pursuing further education, as well as providing assistance with seeking financial support.