Major conference to discuss the biggest threats to sector
NETWORK Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy will be the keynote speaker at the Heritage Railway Association’s annual management in conference in Birmingham city centre on November 1/2.
With a new Government, a new Secretary of State for Transport, and a new Rail Minister in place, Sir Peter will discuss the reform and modernisation of Britain’s railways and how changes on the national network could influence heritage railways and their visitors. He will also unveil more details of plans for celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 202.
Sir Peter will head a field of 23 speakers and contributors at what is the biggest event of its kind in the heritage rail sector. Staged at Birmingham Conference and Events Centre in Hill Street, it will focus on the huge challenges facing heritage railways in 2022 and the years ahead, including the difficulties of overcoming spiralling costs at the same time as potential visitors have less money in their pockets.
West Somerset Railway general manager Kerry Noble will talk about how that line turned around its business after a period of turmoil, while Paul Vidler, from the Kent & East Sussex Railway, will discuss environmental sustainability. Experts in charity and not-forprofit sector governance, Wrigleys Solicitors, will provide advice on navigating current guidance and putting best practice into action.
Senior figures in the Office of Rail and Road will talk about how heritage railways can improve safety management processes.
Other speakers on the conference agenda include Richard Hines, the new deputy chief inspector of railways at the Railway Safety Directorate, ORR, and the ORR head of non-main line railways, Patrick Talbot.
HRA chief executive Steve Oates said: “Six months ago, if you’d asked me what the biggest challenge in heritage rail was, I would undoubtedly have said coal.
“Right now it’s more complex, as the world in which heritage rail now exists has changed massively in a very short space of time.
“I am pleased to say that help is at hand as our conference will cover all the latest issues in the sector.
“Of particular note, our panel session on day two is drawing members from within heritage rail and the wider visitor economy to discuss the realities of the current economic climate, the need to rethink things businesses thought were sacrosanct, and to look for credible ideas for 2023 and beyond.
“There are no better opportunities in heritage rail to hear from the best thinkers in the sector than this conference. It really is a must for managers and directors at the sharp end of heritage rail.”
Tickets for the conference are available at www.hra.uk.com/events