Top 10 Tips for Attending Rail Live 2025

Why are you attending Rail Live? Are you looking to evaluate more than 300 suppliers and learn which of them can meet the needs of your brand? Do you want to network with peers and decision-makers in a setting designed to encourage productivity and innovative ideas? Is your plan to gather knowledge and insights from industry experts in carefully chosen seminars? 

There is a lot going on across the two days of Rail Live, so optimise your experience by identifying your priorities and ensuring that you achieve them while at the event. 

Rail Live maintains a very busy agenda of activities; so, make sure to check the list of exhibitors and talks for each day and plan where you need to be to attend any activities or showcase events that are crucial for you and your brand. 

Additionally, note when you are not at seminars or workshops and take some time to explore the exhibits and products being showcased, or to meet and network with your peers.  

Rail Live is an incredibly popular event with thousands of attendees travelling to the venue at the same time of day – often by car. Be aware of the potential for busy roads and delays as you get close to the venue, and factor this in so you will arrive on time for what you want to take part in. Or consider arriving after 11am to avoid the peak arrival times – there will be a lot still going on in the afternoon.  

Alternatively, you could travel in by rail to either Stratford Parkway and Honeybourne Station and take advantage of free road coach shuttles that will carry you from the station to the event itself. 

If you do decide to drive, be aware that parking is on a field opposite the venue and ground conditions will be dependent on the recent weather. It would be advisable to bring a change of shoes just in case. 

Read here for more suggestions on how to get to the event. 

If your journeys to and from the event are going to be very long, you could arrange to stay overnight in the area between the days of the show. If you are going to stay locally, it would be best to start organising this as early as possible since there are limited places nearby. 

See here for a list of available rooms in the local area. 

You will be on your feet for most of your time at Rail Live, so wear clothes that you are comfortable standing and walking in. Consider wearing some sturdy footwear as the ground is uneven in certain areas.  

Rail Live is primarily an outdoor event, and the weather in the UK is always very prone to change. So, consider what you might need if the weather turns and plan accordingly.  

Sunscreen is always a good idea when at an outdoor event in June, but keep a jacket or coat close to hand in case of rain (better than an umbrella in the crowds). Similarly, bring a water bottle and drink regularly to avoid dehydration. There are water refill stations in two key areas of the venue, which are signposted on the You Are Here maps. 

To ensure everyone’s safety, all attendees at Rail Live must wear upper body hi-vis vests. Please make sure to bring yours with you when you arrive at the premises. If you forget, our event charity partner will have a limited supply available at the event for a small donation.  

Also, consider your other layers of clothing, and make sure not to wear anything that would cause you to overheat with the hi-vis on top. 

Rail Live is a great opportunity to network and create new connections. Impromptu conversations can lay the foundation for highly beneficial working relationships, and you never know when such a conversation will start. Don’t miss out on the chance to create a new contact because you’re running late for your next seminar or activity.  

You will be able to share your details with most exhibitors at Rail Live using your show badge – many will be able to scan your badge for the details you provided at registration – but consider bringing business cards that you can hand out as well. This way you can keep any new connections going once the event has concluded.

Gather significant industry knowledge and insights from experts in their fields at seminars across the two days of Rail Live. Hear from your peers about challenges they face and strategies they have developed. Hear from brand representatives from leading organisations in the sector about current industry trends and their plans for the future. 

Roughly 300 exhibitors will be showcasing their latest services and innovations at Rail Live this year. This gives you a great opportunity to meet with representatives from companies busy defining the future of the industry and work out if their services would be a good fit for you or your brand. With so many brands present, Rail Live provides the ideal venue to secure your next solution provider. 

Whether you are new to Rail Live or a long-time visitor, the points raised here provide a good set of guidelines for how to optimise your experience. For more information on what to expect at the event, see the FAQs on the Rail Live website here. 

If you are a provider of products, services or solutions to the rail industry, consider being a sponsor or exhibitor at Rail Live 2025. Submit an enquiry here and discover more about the incredible opportunities to showcase your innovations and raise the profile of your business. 

Rail Live is an exclusive industry event from Rail Magazine.