Train manufacturer Alstom is celebrating after being recognised at the RailStaff Awards 2025 and the Railway Benefit Fund’s 2025 Heart of Gold Awards within two days of each other.

On Wednesday, 26th November, at the London offices of Railpen, the Railway Benefit Fund’s 2025 Heart of Gold awards were presented by Pete Waterman OBE, the president, and Jo Kaye, Chief Executive Officer, of the Railway Benefit Fund.

The Heart of Gold Awards recognise members of the railway industry who make a real difference by going the extra mile.

This year’s Star Team Award went to the staff who organised The Greatest Gathering, held at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in August, and was the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains.

The following day, Thursday, 27th November, at the NEC in Birmingham, the RailStaff Awards 2025 were hosted by Michael Portillo, the celebrated journalist, broadcaster, and former politician.

Alstom employees were 17 finalists in 20 categories at the awards, including two of the organisers of The Greatest Gathering, Ben Goodwin as Rail Ambassador of the Year and Kathryn Lancaster for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Alstom engineers Charlotte Briers and Yasha Siddiqui were also recognised, with Charlotte, a Rolling Stock Performance Lead, receiving the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for championing empowerment and progress as part of Alstom’s female employee resource group, Voices of Women.

This is the second year that Charlotte has been recognised, as last year she won the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Verena Winifred Holmes Award for her outstanding work as Chair of the Voices of Women ERG at Alstom in promoting diversity and inclusion in the railway industry.

Yasha Siddiqui, the Graduate Chair of Alstom’s graduate scheme in the UK, received the Graduate of the Year award for her work in enhancing the programme for future graduates and ensuring everybody felt included and supported. Yasha is now a Product Cost Engineer after graduate placements in different engineering teams, and is exploring cost-saving ideas during the design stage of new rolling stock.

Julie Williams, a Project Manager in the Digital and Integrated Systems team, was highly commended in the Project Person Award category for her involvement in the successful delivery of the Victoria Phase 4 signalling project in South London.

The Greatest Gathering was an outstanding success, and to handle some of the crowds, the Branch Line Society ran special shuttle charter trains to the event from Chesterfield and Derby. Pete Waterman OBE, who presented the Heart of Gold awards, displayed a model railway at the event.

Dont forget, RailAdvent produced a 2 Disc Set of The Greatest Gathering with 2 hours of footage from the event. You can find out more information by clicking here.

“Winning multiple honours at this year’s RailStaff Awards is a fantastic achievement for Alstom and a real testament to the talent and dedication of our people. From graduate excellence to leadership in diversity and inclusion, these awards highlight the breadth of expertise and commitment that drives our success across the UK rail industry.”

Rob Whyte, Managing Director of Alstom UK and Ireland