The centre piece of the Railway 200 celebrations this year saw a large-scale event take place at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in Derby – The Greatest Gathering. Obviously the main focus of the three-day event at the start of August was railways but trams did also feature. One was specifically visiting to be showcased at the event while the other just happened to be on site undergoing repairs.
The visitor was Stadler Citylink Tram-Train 398 019 from Transport for Wales. This is one of the 36-strong class of Tram-Trains which have been built by Stadler in Valencia, Spain and are due to start entering service from later this year. Ultimately destined to be used on the planned Cardiff tram system (which is due to be ready in 2028) they will initially be used as conventional trains on the Rhondaa, Merthyr and Cardiff City lines.
But 398 019 wasn’t the only tram related vehicle which could be seen as tucked away in one of the workshops at Litchurch Lane was Nottingham Express Transit Incentro 207. This tram suffered accident damage in February 2025 at Royal Centre in Nottingham City Centre and has been moved to Derby for repairs, the move taking place in June 2025. It’s the second NET tram to have headed this way in the past year, following on from 232 which also received accident repairs.
With the bright yellow coupler raised as the Tram-Train was coupled to a wagon, 398 019 is seen in this view on display.
A close-up view of the other end of 398 019.
NET 207 is seen inside under repair. This end has seen some of the panelling removed to allow work to get underway.
Window and more panelling removed here with the bogie covers also currently absent.
Inside the tram and the seats have been removed. (All Photographs by Ken Jones, 1st August 2025)