Tomorrow’s technology on show at Rail Live
BI-MODE, battery and hydrogen trains are all set to display the best in alternative traction at this year’s Rail Live, which is due to be officially opened with a keynote address by Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling on June 20.
Headlining the green technology on show are expected to be:
Porterbrook’s first brand new Class 769 Flex conversion - an innovative capacity-boosting electric multiple unit converted to include a diesel engine. The first is due in traffic in late spring.
Vivarail’s battery-powered D-Train - the first of which is in its final-build stage, and is set to be ready for passenger service by the summer.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge demonstration of one of the UK’s only working hydrogen trains - a 10¼in gauge locomotive built by students from the University of Birmingham (see separate story).
Rail Live 2018 is an enhanced annual event undergoing a transformation for 2018, aimed at bringing the entire industry together to showcase UK rail expertise to the worldwide industry.
Taking place at the Quinton Rail Technology Centre at Long Marston (Warwickshire) on June 20-21, Rail Live is expected to attract around 5,000 visitors, including delegates from countries looking to invest in the UK industry or requiring rail and policing expertise for projects back home.
Rail Live has been successfully held at QRTC for the past five years, chiefly as a plant show, with the Rail Alliance growing it into what is now Europe’s largest outdoor rail show. This year, RAIL magazine publisher Bauer Media has taken ownership of the event, in association with Rail Alliance, with the aim of developing it further into a major business event for the UK rail industry.
The event has become synonymous with on-track machinery demonstrations and displays of the latest equipment, products and services available. From 2018’s show, that remit is expanding to include the latest rolling stock displays and a host of live demonstrations from Network Rail, British Transport Police, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and many more to be announced over the coming weeks.
As this issue of RAIL went to press, more than 100 companies had already booked to exhibit, display or otherwise participate in this entirely new kind of national rail show. Movement of rolling stock for exhibition at Rail Live 2018 is being sponsored by freight
companies GB Railfreight and Direct Rail Services, and supported by Network Rail.
Rail Live will feature its traditional and successful plant show, plus a range of full-size rail exhibits, including a freight zone, a passenger rolling stock display, and a 3,000 sq metre temporary exhibition building with full power, conference and networking facilities. The National Rail Convention will be staged in this building (see separate story).
RAIL Managing Editor Nigel Harris said: “Together with the Rail Alliance, supported by literally dozens of industry partners, we are creating a new annual show here which will showcase the best of our industry, not only for the domestic market but also for overseas buyers of products and services.
“At Rail Live, exhibitors will be able to do everything they can do at (say) the NEC to the same standards, but there will also be a whole range of trains, locomotives and rolling stock on display. Think of the domestic and international benefits of a major air show, translated to the railway, and you’ll get the idea.”
Rail Live is a trade show for individuals working in the rail industry. You will be required to register with a verified rail industry email address in order to attend.