Planning a better railway at record-breaking Rail Live

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This article first appeared in an April article for RAIL Magazine.

 

 

DELIVERING a simpler, better railway will be a key focus of this year’s Rail Live.

Great British Railways Transition Team’s Interim Lead Director Rufus Boyd will lead a discussion at the event, which will also consider how a planned new ‘guiding mind’ will work with regional authorities to shape a strategic approach to rail as part of local transport systems. Boyd joins a line-up that includes key speakers such as Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines, incoming HM Chief Inspector of Railways Richard Hines, and Rail Safety and Standards Board Chief Operations Officer Johnny Schute (RAIL 1006).

To be held at Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre on June 19 & 20th, Rail Live 2024 has continued to attract record-breaking interest and exhibitor bookings:

 

• By mid-April, visitor registrations were up 57% on the equivalent period in 2023.
• Rail Live's exhibition line-up continues to grow, too. With two months still to go until the show, 46 of the 253 exhibitors booked so far are exhibiting at Rail Live for the first time.

 

Among the recent confirmations is a Stadler Class 93. The Swiss manufacturer is supplying ten of the new tri-mode (25kV AC/diesel/battery) locomotives to Rail Operations Group. Part of Stadler’s Euro Dual family, the ‘93’ is a development of its Class 88. “We’re absolutely delighted that the railway is coming together in such numbers,” said RAIL Group Editor Stephen Briers. “Everyone knows the industry has had a tough time in recent years, but this is a clear sign that it’s now looking to a positive future - and at RAIL, we’re proud to do our bit in helping bring that about. Rail Live is now a ‘must do’ event.”

As in previous years, Network Rail is planning a major presence. The infrastructure owner is planning to display drones and a Class 153 monitoring train, as well as bringing its ‘Freight Escape’ team for a new extended panel session on freight’s future. NR’s equipment will also take its place alongside other cuttingedge technology from across the railway supply chain.

For the first time, this year’s show will also include an Engineering Theatre sponsored by Pandrol, alongside the existing seminar theatre for Policy & Leadership. Rail Live is improving access to the venue for 2024, with an additional 750 parking spaces, a second entrance gate to facilitate faster access, and the recruitment of a professional car parking team that manages events such as the FA Cup and Commonwealth Games.