News

Rail LIVE returns in 2026 on June the 17-18. And for the first time since 2019, visitors will be able to attend the event via a direct rail service from London.

RAIL has teamed up with Romic Group Ltd and RailAdventure to put on the Rail LIVE Express - a dedicated service from London Paddington right to the heart of the event at Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre.

The train is due to run on both days. Profits from the train will go to the Railway Children charity. Tickets are available from Excursions By Rail. All ticket holders must also register to attend Rail LIVE on the website and print out their event passes beforehand.

The train will be formed of a Romic-owned HST. Fifty years ago, these now-iconic trains made their passenger debut, fittingly, on services out of London Paddington.

“This special working is particularly notable because HST departures from Paddington have become extremely rare since their withdrawal from regular inter-city service, making the train both a practical shuttle and a celebration of the HST’s legacy, especially in this 50th anniversary year,” said Romic Finance Director Mary Coleman.

Visitors will notice more changes to Long Marston when they visit this year’s show, with Porterbrook offering rides on the newly installed electrified test loop throughout both days.

Each journey will include two loops of the track with a guided audio experience explaining the work that’s been carried out at Long Marston and the site’s facilities.

It’s expected that up to 700 places will be available on each day. Details on tickets for these journeys will be announced in the coming weeks.

Rail LIVE again has some fantastic speakers from across the industry due to speak at the event.

These include: Lord Peter Hendy (Rail Minister); Maggie Simpson (Director General, Rail Freight Group); Dave Calfe (General Secretary, ASLEF); Alex Hornby (Commercial & Customer Director, Northern); Richard Hines (HM Chief Inspector of Railways); Melanie Corcoran (Executive Director of Transport, South Yorkshire Combined Authority); Kathryn Oldale (Head of Strategy, Policy and Communications, DB Cargo UK); Gareth Williams (General Secretary, Eurostar).

Rail LIVE continues to grow, with 7,075 unique attendees last year - 41.5% higher on the 5,000 visitors in 2018 (the first year Bauer Media organised the event).

So far, 181 exhibitors have also been booked, while British Steel is again the headline partner for this year’s event.

Caroleann Thompson, Commercial Manager Rail - UK & Ireland, said: "British Steel is delighted to be partnering with Rail Live again this year by becoming the headline sponsor for the business lounge and gold club.

“As the UK's only manufacturer of rail, Rail Live is a key event for the UK market and provides an unrivalled opportunity for us to connect with our customers, old and new. We enjoyed working with the team last year, and we're already looking forward to what promises to be another superb event."

Romic and RailAdventure are also show partners.

Free shuttle coaches will also be running to and from Honeybourne and Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway stations throughout both days.

Full timetables will be available in the run-up to the event so that you can plan ahead.