Alstom played host to The Greatest Gathering, a landmark rail industry event bringing together customers, partners, and suppliers to showcase innovation, heritage, and future-forward thinking.
With the venue set at one of their key UK sites, Alstom approached Aura to deliver a full site signage programme that would guide and impress over 40,000 visitors.
Having worked closely with Alstom on previous projects, our team was trusted to manage both the visitor experience and visual storytelling across the event space. The brief included comprehensive wayfinding signage, event graphics, and the refurbishment and wrap of several trains – each with a unique history and purpose.
The project required a fast turnaround, detailed logistics, and seamless collaboration. Our team worked with speed, care, and accuracy to meet every deadline.
Our first step was to carry out a full site survey to understand visitor flows, signage needs, and display opportunities. We collaborated closely with Alstom’s French design team, advising on optimal signage placement to enhance visitor navigation and overall event experience.
Working to tight timelines, we produced and installed more than 300 pieces of signage, including totems and street signs, directional and wayfinding signs, site maps and event graphics, branded flags and outdoor displays.
As part of the showcase, we were also asked to wrap four iconic trains:
- Two Class 50 locomotives – Ark Royal and Exeter – owned by Class 50 Alliance Limited, wrapped in Alstom’s custom-designed Greatest Gathering livery.
- A Class 150 Sprinter from 1986, owned by Porterbrook.
- A Class 47 locomotive for Rail Engineering Services.
All train wraps were completed using 3M premium wrap with anti-graffiti protection, guaranteeing durability and easy cleaning for the high-profile event. Many previously wrapped trains by Aura were also on display, creating a visual timeline of our longstanding relationship with Alstom and others in the rail industry.
Aura helped transform Alstom’s UK site into a branded, engaging, and easy-to-navigate environment for The Greatest Gathering. Our signage improved the visitor journey across the space, while our detailed wrap work on heritage and mainline trains added visual impact and a sense of occasion.
Key outcomes:
- Over 300 signs produced and installed across the site
- Four trains wrapped in event-specific branding with anti-graffiti film
- Collaborative success with international stakeholders, including Alstom’s design team in France
- Positive feedback on event flow, signage clarity, and train presentation
- Affirmed Aura’s position as a trusted partner in rail branding for both modern and heritage rolling stock
This project demonstrated the scope of our branding capabilities and the power of partnership – combining strategic thinking, creative execution, and hands-on delivery under tight deadlines.
