In a week marked by milestones and reflection, the United Kingdom’s rail industry has found itself at the intersection of history and transformation. Two major stories—one celebrating the enduring legacy of British rail engineering, the other signaling a changing of the guard at Northern Ireland’s public transport operator—have captured the attention of railway enthusiasts and everyday commuters alike.
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, rail fans from across the country converged on Derby for a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Alstom, the global train manufacturer, orchestrated the first-ever passenger train to depart from its storied Litchurch Lane Works. This wasn’t just any train ride; it was a symbolic passage connecting Derby’s world-renowned train-building hub to Glasgow’s Polmadie depot, a linchpin of Scottish railway operations. The event formed part of the Polmadie 150 celebration, marking a century and a half of service at Alstom’s Glasgow Traincare Centre.
According to Railway-News, the special charter train was organized by the Branch Line Society, a group well-known for its creative rail tours. The train itself was a rolling tribute to British engineering, hauled by two Derby-designed RailAdventure Class 43 locomotives (numbers 43468 and 43484) and comprised of Litchurch Lane-built Mark 3 coaches supplied by the 125 Group. The excitement was palpable as hundreds of rail enthusiasts boarded at Litchurch Lane at 8:00 a.m., embarking on a route that would take them through Derby station, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Lancaster, and Motherwell before arriving at Glasgow Central at 3:43 p.m. The train’s final leg into Polmadie Depot was managed by a trio of resident Class 08 shunting locomotives (08451, 08696, and 08954), closing the loop between two of the UK’s most historic rail sites.
The Polmadie 150 event was more than a nostalgic nod to the past. It was also about giving back. All proceeds from the charter supported the Beatson Cancer Charity and the Railway Children’s Glasgow Project, with fundraising efforts bolstered by Network Rail’s decision to waive track access charges for the special trip. This spirit of community was echoed the following day, Sunday, October 12, when Alstom’s Scottish depot hosted its first open day in 25 years. Over 1,000 visitors—many of them passengers from the previous day’s journey—explored a unique lineup of more than 20 rail vehicles, each representing a chapter in Polmadie’s 150-year story.
Alstom’s Glasgow Traincare Centre, located just two miles southeast of Glasgow Central, is no ordinary depot. It’s the main base for the Caledonian Sleeper, the iconic overnight train linking Scotland and London, and also maintains Avanti West Coast’s fleet of Class 390 Pendolinos. With over 100 staff keeping 17 trains a day in tip-top condition, the depot is a hive of round-the-clock activity—a testament to the ongoing importance of rail in British life.
This year’s festivities in Derby and Glasgow are part of a broader celebration: Railway 200, the bicentenary of the modern railway. Earlier in 2025, Litchurch Lane hosted The Greatest Gathering, the world’s largest-ever assembly of historic and modern trains. More than 40,000 visitors descended on Derby for the event, which raised thousands for charity and featured the first-ever passenger train to alight at the Derby factory—a Class 390 Pendolino Progress, the UK’s first fully wrapped Pride train, hauled by the distinctive Class 57 No. 57307 Lady Penelope. As Litchurch Lane prepares to mark its own 150th birthday in 2026, the sense of continuity and innovation is unmistakable.
Yet, while the rails between Derby and Glasgow hummed with celebration, another significant announcement was unfolding across the Irish Sea. Chris Conway, Chief Executive of Translink Group, revealed that he will step down from his post in Spring 2026. This news, confirmed by both Railway-News and Translink, marks the end of an era for Northern Ireland’s public transport operator.
Conway’s tenure, which began in September 2015, has been characterized by a series of transformative milestones. Under his leadership, Translink introduced contactless ticketing—a move that modernized fare collection and streamlined passenger experience. The company also rolled out new trains and invested in station upgrades, all while seeing a notable increase in passenger growth. These achievements have not gone unnoticed.
Reflecting on his time at Translink, Conway stated, “It has been a privilege to serve the public in this role and to work with an exceptional team of hardworking and dedicated people, who make such a positive impact to life in Northern Ireland.” His words echo the sentiments of many within the organization and the broader public who have witnessed the evolution of public transport over the past decade.
The search for Conway’s successor will begin in the coming weeks, as confirmed by Translink’s Chair, Frank Allen. Allen was effusive in his praise, remarking, “I would like to pay tribute to Chris and extend my sincere thanks for his outstanding leadership. Over the past decade, his vision and values have not only reshaped public transport in Northern Ireland but have also propelled it forward with purpose and ambition. Under his stewardship, Translink has undergone a remarkable transformation. His enduring legacy will be defined by innovation, sustainability, and civic impact—a solid foundation for future growth.”
For many in Northern Ireland, these words ring true. The introduction of contactless ticketing, for instance, wasn’t just a technical upgrade—it signaled a commitment to making public transport more accessible and user-friendly. New trains and station investments have made journeys more comfortable and efficient, while the steady rise in passenger numbers points to a growing trust in the system. Conway’s leadership style, described by colleagues as collaborative and forward-thinking, has left a mark on both the culture and operations of Translink.
As the organization embarks on the search for a new chief executive, questions abound. Who will take the reins at a time when public transport faces both opportunities and challenges—from decarbonization and digitalization to shifting commuter patterns in a post-pandemic world? The next leader will inherit a company poised for further growth, but also tasked with navigating an ever-evolving landscape.
Meanwhile, the echoes of the Polmadie 150 celebrations continue to resonate. The journey from Derby to Glasgow was not just a physical passage, but a metaphorical one—linking the achievements of the past with the possibilities of the future. As the Litchurch Lane Works gears up for its own 150th anniversary, and as Translink prepares for new leadership, the message is clear: Britain and Northern Ireland’s railways are engines of both tradition and transformation, carrying the weight of history while forging ahead into new territory.
In a year of milestones, the rail industry has shown that its greatest journeys are not just measured in miles, but in the stories of people, progress, and perseverance that keep the wheels turning.
