Rail Live just keeps getting bigger and bigger, with 2024 proving to be another record-breaking year for the UK’s largest outdoor rail exhibition.
Nearly 7,000 visitors came through the doors at Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire for the 2024 version of the event.
Katie Gordon-Hill, Head of Exhibitions - B2B at Bauer Media, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that this year’s Rail Live proved the biggest so far - full of the latest industry kit and with plenty of insightful debate at a time when the railway has much to look forward to.
“It was great just to wander around and chat to people at what has become Britain’s premier outdoor rail show. Our new transport plan made access much easier, while coping with greater numbers, which bodes well for future growth.”
That transport plan provided a much smoother experience for visitors, with increased parking and traffic flow ensuring that the queues and congestion which had been experienced last year were kept to a minimum this time around, despite the increased numbers.
Rail Live 2024 took place against the backdrop of a General Election, which brought its own challenges in the weeks building up to the event, with changes in the agenda and with guests and speakers being unable to attend. However, visitors were treated to a varied and informative revamped programme.
The theatres, including the newly introduced Engineering Theatre, were a huge success. Highlights included a speech from ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan (see pages 10-11), as well as a fascinating talk from the Ukrainian Railways delegation, who highlighted the difficulties they are currently facing and how the rail industry in the UK can help their cause (see pages 6-7).
Away from the theatres, rolling stock was (as always) a key feature of the event.
One of the star attractions was the Class 93 tri-mode locomotive which is currently being built by Stadler for Rail Operations Group.
Similar in design to the Class 88, it piqued plenty of visitors’ interest across the two days. And we were able to delve a little deeper into the locomotive, with a special feature on pages 40-43.
Alongside the Class 93, Porterbrook once again displayed its Class 799 HydroFLEX model, which proved a popular draw.
“Over 400 visitors each day were able to get a guided tour of the HydroChamber,” enthused Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant.
Overall, the two days proved a big success for Porterbrook, with Grant adding: “As part of a spectacular Rail Live filled with engaging speakers and an impressive display of technology, rolling stock and equipment, we were pleased to showcase several of our excellent partnerships.
“We joined forces with Primary Engineer for a live engineering challenge with children from local Warwickshire primary schools and senior railway representatives.
“Further celebrating our community partnerships, we also worked with Stratford-upon-Avon charity Escape Arts to display Stratford’s Lost Railways, a photography exhibition at the main entrance to the event.
“Rail Live is always a highlight on the calendar for us, and we’re delighted to have hosted a record number of guests this year to the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre.”
Elsewhere, Network Rail allowed visitors to step inside its Mobile Maintenance Train.
This was a key part of this year’s Network Rail Village, which also offered demonstrations on biodiversity and technology.
And on the second day, Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines visited the village to discuss some of the challenges and the positives currently being faced across the sector.
Haines was also a guest at the Primary Engineer session in the Engineering Theatre on the second day.
The programme is designed to encourage and foster young engineering minds. It did that through the vehicle of a timed challenge. Teams of youngsters faced various tasks designed to test their thinking and showcase their engineering skill.
This year also saw the introduction of the Business Lounge, which proved to be a popular addition. The lounge, sponsored by Dura Composites, was designed to be a space for meetings, conversations and catching up with work, away from the hustle and bustle of the main event area.
The RAIL team also managed to get out and about during the two days and visit the hundreds of exhibitors.
We’ve rounded up some of the most innovative products on display, with electrification, plant and trackside all featuring in Chris Howe’s Rail Live top 20 favourites. You can see what makes the cut on pages 44-49.
RAIL Editor Dickon Ross said: “Ahead of a General Election and impending industry structural change, Rail Live 2024 was a chance for railway people to get together and network, as well as to check out the latest plant and other equipment.
“Purdah meant last-minute changes to the speaker line-ups, but that didn’t stop lively discussion and debate about rail’s future from right across the industry - and some political input from the likes of ASLEF General Secretary Mick Whelan.“
Katie Gordon-Hill added: “Now we’re already working on the next event, to be held on June 18-19 2025. That takes place during‘Railway 200’ - and we hope it will be better than ever.”
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