Contributing Writer rail@bauermedia.co.uk
BOTH Rail Minister Huw Merriman and his opposite number Stephen Morgan are to take part in Rail Live, with Merriman delivering a keynote speech.
With competing visions of the future of the railways, the Conservative and Labour politicians’ presence at Britain’s foremost outdoor railway industry show during an election year is expected to draw key interest.
Early bookings for the event, to be held by RAIL at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre on June 19/20 have been significantly higher than in previous years - with registrations in their first week 135% up on 2023. Exhibitor numbers are also up on the equivalent period, by more than 15%.
Confirmed speakers at the 2024 event include Network Rail Chief
Executive Andrew Haines, Great British Railways Transition Team Interim Lead Director Rufus Boyd, incoming HM Chief Inspector of Railways Richard Hines, and Rail Safety and Standards Board Chief Operations Officer Johnny Schute.
This year, a second seminar theatre will also be introduced to run alongside the Strategy & Leadership sessions. Chaired by RAIL contributor Gareth Dennis, the Engineering Theatre, sponsored by Pandrol, will focus on emerging technologies and make engineering projects a central pillar of discussions.
However, the core of Rail Live remains the outdoor display of equipment.
Taking its place among hundreds of other exhibitors at an event described by Network Rail Chairman Lord Peter Hendy as “unmissable”, NR is once again planning a major presence.
For the first time, Rail Live will host NR’s ‘Freight Escape’ team - with an extended panel session on the future of freight, coinciding with production of the popular NR YouTube series.
The network owner also plans to bring its Class 153 monitoring train and, in a recognition of how such activities are undergoing a transformation, its drone team.
NR Managing Director of Route Services Rob Morton told RAIL: “This year, Network Rail will be returning to Rail Live -Britain’s largest outdoor rail show.
“By then, we’ll have started a new five-year control period. This presents a perfect opportunity to build understanding and awareness of our role in rail - how we plan, deliver and work together.
“My team, Route Services, is working hard to make sure we are a ‘smart supplier’ - providing insights and recommendations based on data, to help run a simpler, better and greener railway.
“We have a huge amount planned for CP7. We’ll continue to apply safe-by-design principles to protect our colleagues, passengers, and anyone who encounters the railway. We’re also finding
