HRA autumn conference a sell-out
THERE WAS a record attendance at the Heritage Railway Association’s autumn conference in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on November 7/8.
Supported by Steam Railway and held at the Crowne Plaza hotel, next to Newcastle Central station and its surviving North Eastern Railway water tower – and within sight of Robert Stephenson & Co’s famous Forth Street Works – there were 200 attendees at the event, representing 61 HRA member organisations. Leading the presentations was a talk by Davidson Ward from USA-based FMW Solutions, discussing the company’s work in converting locomotives to oil-firing and its collaboration with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to modify WD 2-10-0 ‘Dame Vera Lynn’ to burn oil.
On Day One of the conference there were talks from Network Rail on how it manages biodiversity and the impacts of climate change; Ian Prosser and Simon Barber from the Office of Rail & Road talked about how to develop an effective Safety Management System; and Doug Alldred from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway discussed how railways can get the most from their volunteers. A highlight was the keynote speech from Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, the
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Day Two featured presentations from the National Trust on how to create the best volunteering experience; Rebecca Dalley, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster and Malcolm Holmes from the Mid-Hants, Severn Valley, and Great Central railways respectively talked about how they have helped guide their heritage lines through turbulent waters; while broadcaster and historian Tim Dunn provided an update on the planned ‘Railway 200’ celebrations in 2025. The day ended with a fond farewell to outgoing NYMR CEO Chris Price, who is stepping down from his role after eight years in charge.