Discover the rolling stock of Rail LIVE, including pioneering passenger technology, next-generation freight locomotives and specialist infrastructure machinery built for the modern railway.

HydroFLEX
Ride the HydroFLEX around the UK's only continuous test loop.

Visitors to Rail LIVE 2026 will have the opportunity to step on board a train and experience Porterbrook’s newly launched test track at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre.

Located at the home of Rail LIVE, the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre is the only continuous rail testing loop in the UK. Across both days of the event, Porterbrook will be inviting visitors to take a special trip around the facility, offering a unique opportunity to see the site in action.

Passengers on board will complete two loops of the testing facility, accompanied by an exclusive audio tour from a special celebrity guest. Multiple departures will run throughout each day of Rail LIVE, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Provisional Journey Times: 
17 June & 18 June

  • 09:55
  • 11:30
  • 12:15
  • 13:00
  • 13:45
  • 14:30
     

Tickets for the test track tours are free and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis from the Porterbrook Ticket Office, located at E1. Trains will depart for the tour from Platform One.

Visitors interested in taking part are encouraged to visit E1 as early as possible on the day of their visit to secure a ticket. Once tickets are sold out, no further tickets will be available.

GB Railfreight's Class 99
Discover the role of GB Railfreight’s brand-new bi-mode electro-diesel Class 99 in the future of UK rail freight.

GB Railfreight has confirmed one of its brand-new bi-mode electro-diesel Class 99s will attend this year’s event, giving the industry an opportunity to one up close and learn more about how it can transform UK rail freight.

The ‘99s’ will be able to haul long-distance, heavy freight trains on electrified and non-electrified routes, reducing the need for locomotive changes mid-route and reducing carbon emissions.

Developed in partnership with Stadler and Beacon Rail, the first of the fleet of 30 is due to enter service later this year.

Heavy Haul Rail's Class 66
Heavy Haul Rail will be bringing its rebranded Class 66 (66537) to this year’s Rail LIVE.

Heavy Haul Rail will be bringing its rebranded Class 66 (66537) to this year’s Rail Live. Heavy Haul Rail set up as a standalone freight operator in January after splitting from Freightliner Intermodal.

The company moves 17 million tonnes of freight a year in the industrial, energy and construction markets, as well as supporting the renewal and maintenance of rail infrastructure and supporting passenger train operators with services such as driver provision and route conducting.

Heavy Haul Rail operates 95 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons, operating 250 trains per week with a workforce of 950 staff spread across 100 locations.

Representatives from Heavy Haul Rail will also be speaking at Rail Live, joining discussions about the future of hydrogen in rail and the future of freight traction in the UK.

RA-BUC480 Ballast Undercutter & Trencher
RA-BUC480 Ballast Undercutter & Trencher

This year, Rail Ability will be exhibiting their award-winning RA-BUC480 Ballast Undercutter & Trencher.

In November 2025, it was awarded Innovation of the Year at the National Rail Awards, with the judges describing it as:


“A very impressive entry from an SME fighting against industrial inertia. The benefits in terms of cost reduction and productivity were clear to see, and the product was regarded as genuinely innovative.”

It has now been identified as a strategic OTP asset for some regions of Network Rail, and is having a significant impact on the UK rail industry.

Network Rail Grinder
Discover Network Rail's Grinder
30 metres in length, the Network Rail Grinder will be driven and attended by Harsco Rail staff over the two days.