Alstom: Ticket sales resume for historic 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."
Railway 200 festivities
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
11 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Acorn carbon capture project 'part of spending review'
There have been growing calls from business leaders for investment in the project, which has been on a reserve list for funding. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce the budgets for all government departments over the next few years on Wednesday, which will include information on what new projects will receive investment. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, ministers were asked a number of times about funding for the project. St Fergus Gas Terminal near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. (Image: PA) The BBC reports that Energy Minister Sarah Jones told MPs they didn't have long to wait to see what the spending review had to say about the project. She said: "We have always been clear that we support the Acorn Project" adding "we know what an important proposal it is. "The decision is a matter for a spending review but we are very close to having those decisions". In March, business leaders including oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood and organisations such as the Scottish Chambers of Commerce signed a letter urging the chancellor to back the project. READ MORE: SNP's Flynn accuses Labour of sidelining Scotland after Acorn carbon capture snub Swinney clashes with Tories over windfall tax as Harbour Energy cuts 250 jobs The letter argued that the project had faced two decades of setbacks, and that it is needed to help Scottish industry decarbonise. If it is given the go-ahead, waste CO2 will be piped from central Scotland to St Fergus using redundant pipelines which previously carried natural gas south. Experts say the technology is vital for Scotland to meet its climate targets.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I visited the UK's 'worst' seaside town - but the title is misleading'
The Welsh cathedral city has been dubbed one of the "worst seaside towns" but one YouTuber who visited was won over by one thing A Welsh cathedral city branded one of the "worst seaside towns" has charmed a YouTuber with its unique appeal. Despite its modest population of around 16,000, Bangor in Gwynedd didn't rate highly for its food, drink establishments, shopping options or tourist spots. The city faced criticism for lacklustre beaches and questionable value for money. The BBC shared that some dubbed Bangor "drab" and "run down". Yet, locals defended their home, claiming that Bangor isn't traditionally viewed as a coastal destination like Llandudno or Rhyl. Bangor boasts historical landmarks such as its sixth-century cathedral, the Victorian-era university building, an iconic pier, and Penrhyn Castle. Wendall, a travel content creator on YouTube, was captivated by the city's charm. Strategically positioned a stone's throw from the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Bangor enjoys close proximity to stunning natural scenery. Its Pier stretches invitingly into the Menai Strait, offering views towards Anglesey and the scenic town of Beaumaris, reports Wales Online. During a jaunt to the city's bay, YouTuber Wendall was pleasantly surprised: "Before I came to this small city that has been given the title of the worst seaside town in Britain, I expected far worse than this, look at this idyllic setting. I'm starting to think this might be a little bit of tabloid sensationalism, even more so than other places I've been." Wendall described the scene: "This is quite idyllic, the tide is out at the moment so you have a bit of seaweed and stuff but it's peaceful and quiet. There's new buildings and pathways and stuff for people to walk." Having visited numerous seaside towns, Wendall observed that Bangor was indeed quiet and subdued, but not rough around the edges, at least not in the town centre and near the waterfront. He said: "It's been termed the worst seaside town and I immediately think of it like a dying holiday resort, but this isn't actually a holiday resort, it's a town by the water but it's not got all the arcades, all the empty holiday parks, I think that title is misleading." Wendall also explored the renowned Garth Pier, which stretches 1,500 feet (460m) in length, ranking it as the second-longest pier in Wales and ninth-longest in Britain. The YouTuber praised its beauty, saying, "This is beautiful." Fellow YouTuber Ed Chapman shared a similar sentiment about the pier. In a video on his own channel, Ed remarked: "Now, this looks beautiful that we're heading towards here. Sun's starting to set now, getting to golden hour, and we're heading onto the pier, which does look beautiful. It looks a little bit more sort of traditionally seaside-y." Gazing out over the water from the pier, Ed added that the view was "impressive" and "glorious" before dubbing the pier "lovely". Later in the video, he expressed his admiration for the university, calling it a "nice" building and "very sort of Hogwarts". Ed was left "very surprised" by the city and said Bangor, in his opinion, wasn't the UK's worst seaside town and "pretty underrated". After the survey results were announced, Bangor City Council hit out at the poll. A council spokesperson responded: "It's disappointing to see Bangor City named as one of the UK's worst seaside towns. Such rankings often fail to capture the full picture and the unique charms that make Bangor City so special." The council highlighted local gems like the Storiel Gallery and Museum, Pontio Arts Centre, and the city's cathedral. Defenders of the city also weighed in on YouTube. One commenter asserted: "I'm Bangor born and bred. We are NOT a 'seaside town' and have never been one." Another clarified: "We are a very small university city beside the sea. We are not geared up to be a seaside town - that's places like Llandudno and Rhyl. We've never had a sandy beach and they are shoring up the sea defences down there atm [at the moment], which is a massive job. Bangor is the gateway to the mountains."
Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Wales Online
'I visited UK seaside town with bad reputation but I found one thing idyllic'
'I visited UK seaside town with bad reputation but I found one thing idyllic' A seaside city in Wales was dubbed the 'worst' in Britain, with people saying it was 'run down' and 'drab', but one recent visitor felt the title was 'misleading' YouTuber Wendall visited Bangor in North Wales to see if it was the 'worst' seaside town (Image: Wendall/YouTube ) A Welsh cathedral city that was dubbed as one of the 'worst seaside towns' won over one YouTuber who visited thanks to one thing. Home to around 16,000 people, Bangor in Gwynedd scored lowly for its food and drink scene, shopping and tourist attractions. Critics also slammed the city's beaches and value for money. The BBC reported that some commenters called Bangor 'drab' and 'run down'. Although people living in the cathedral city hit-back at the poll, pointing out that it has never been seen as a seaside resort, unlike destinations such as Llandudno and Rhyl. Instead, the city has garnered a reputation for its sixth century cathedral, 19th-century university building, its Victorian pier and the Penrhyn Castle. YouTuber Wendall visited the city and was won over by its surroundings. Bangor is located just miles away from the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. Its Garth Pier also stretches out into the Menai Strait overlooking Anglesey and the picturesque town of Beaumaris. YouTuber Wendall was won over by Bangor's harbour (Image: R) Article continues below In a video on his channel, Wendall visited the city's bay. He said: 'Before I came to this small city that has been given the title of the worst seaside town in Britain, I expected far worse than this, look at this idyllic setting. I'm starting to think this might be a little bit of tabloid sensationalism, even more so than other places I've been. 'This is quite idyllic, the tide is out at the moment so you have a bit of seaweed and stuff but it's peaceful and quiet. There's new buildings and pathways and stuff for people to walk. 'I've been to all sorts of seaside towns and Bangor, it's probably just a bit quiet and dead. But it's certainly not rough, not in the town centre and near the water anyway. 'It's been termed the worst seaside town and I immediately think of it like a dying holiday resort, but this isn't actually a holiday resort, it's a town by the water but it's not got all the arcades, all the empty holiday parks, I think that title is misleading.' Garth Pier in Bangor (Image: R) Wendall also visited the city's famous Garth Pier. At 1,500 feet (460 m) in length, it is the second-longest pier in Wales and ninth-longest in Britain. The YouTuber said: 'This is beautiful.' Fellow YouTuber Ed Chapman also praised the city's pier. On a video on his own channel, Ed said: 'Now, this looks beautiful that we're heading towards here. Sun's starting to set now, getting to golden hour, and we're heading onto the pier, which does look beautiful. It looks a little bit more sort of traditionally seaside-y." Looking out over the water from the pier, he added that the view was "impressive" and "glorious" before dubbing the pier "lovely". Later in the video, he expressed his admiration for the university, calling it a "nice" building and "very sort of Hogwarts". Bangor University (Image:) Ed was left 'very surprised" by the city and said Bangor, in his opinion, wasn't the UK's worst seaside town and "pretty underrated". After the survey results were announced, Bangor City Council hit-out at the poll. A spokesman said: 'It's disappointing to see Bangor City named as one of the UK's worst seaside towns. Such rankings often fail to capture the full picture and the unique charms that make Bangor City so special." Other highlights emphasised by the council included the Storiel Gallery and Museum and Pontio Arts Centre and the cathedral. Commenters on YouTube spoke-out in favour of the city. Article continues below One said: 'I'm Bangor born and bred. We are NOT a 'seaside town' and have never been one." Another added: 'We are a very small university city beside the sea. We are not geared up to be a seaside town - that's places like Llandudno and Rhyl. We've never had a sandy beach and they are shoring up the sea defences down there atm [at the moment], which is a massive job. Bangor is the gateway to the mountains."
