Network
rail@bauermedia.co.uk
THE UK’s largest outdoor railway event is back for 2024, promising more features and exhibitors than ever before - as well as (crucially) improved access to parking facilities.
Rail Live will open its doors at Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire on June 19, bringing together the best and most diverse talent from across the rail industry.
Across two days, the country’s leading suppliers will showcase their latest and most exciting innovations, while leading railway experts discuss policy, challenges, safety and infrastructure, encouraging debate and intelligent critique.
Brought to you by RAIL, this year’s Rail Live will introduce a second seminar theatre to run alongside the Strategy & Leadership sessions.
The Engineering theatre will shine the spotlight on emerging technologies such as automation, AI and the ‘Internet of Things’, to highlight how they could shape the future of the railway.
The theatre will expand Rail Live beyond its traditional roots in plant and infrastructure, to make engineering projects a central pillar and appeal to the entire railway family.
Also new for 2024 is a business lounge, enabling visitors to make important calls or attend Teams/ Zoom meetings while at the show.
A record 5,841 people attended the 2023 event, which featured 272 exhibitors alongside rolling stock, live demonstrations, and 17 high-profile speakers, including Rail Minister Huw Merriman.
Almost four out of five delegates (78%) contribute to the decision-making process within their organisation, while a quarter were at director and board level. A further 62% were at management level.
However, the two-day event wasn’t without its complications. The unprecedented 31% year-on-year rise in visitor numbers filled all the available parking spaces on each day, which resulted in delays as people attempted to gain access to the site.
To prevent this situation from reoccurring in 2024, RAIL has acquired additional parking for an extra 750 vehicles. And a second entrance gate will ensure visitors quicker access to and from the show.
It is also recruiting a professional car parking team which manages large-scale events, including the FA Cup and Commonwealth Games, while also employing double the personnel directing traffic in the parking fields.
Rail Live 2024 has already secured several leading rail experts to provide insight, learning and thought leadership.
Rufus Boyd, interim lead director at Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), will be sitting down with RAIL to discuss how the UK builds a bridge to GBR following publication in February of the rail reform draft bill. His session is entitled: rail
