Autumn 2025 Day One
Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Leonardo Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton
Learn … hard truths and new opportunities - whether you’re on the up or on the brink
Collaborate … and share your successes and concerns
Takeaway … useable and useful ideas, insights and innovations
Blending support, networking, expert advice and inspiration; enjoy the extensive programme offering valuable opportunities to find new solutions that enhance visitor experiences, streamline operations and help tackle the tough issues.
08.45 Arrival, registration, refreshments and networking
Tea/coffee and refreshments
09.00 Welcome and introduction to the day
Steve Oates Chief Exec, HRA
09.10 ‘From Running on Empty to Running with Purpose’
We all know the issues … a big railway losing a seven figure sum, rumours of another running out of cash, rosters unfilled, volunteers getting older, and endless debates about structures that feel like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. We say the model is broken, then hope it’ll work next year. We’re running on empty.
But, in our conference opener, Robin and John invite you to face the difficult challenges head-on and offer a presentation that gives hope, a roadmap to solutions, and inspiration for a stronger future
Dr Robin Coombes General Manager, Kent & East Sussex Railway
John Bailey Trustee, NYMR & Company Secretary, HRA
09.40 Fit for the Future
A case study on refocussing and reshaping a heritage railway
Two years ago Swanage Railway was looking down the tunnel to failure, but by the end of 2024 they’d turned probable failure into a modest surplus. Another year on, new Chief Executive Abbie King and Chairman Gavin Johns speak candidly about their challenges along the way to make themselves ‘Fit for the Future’
Abbie King Chief Executive, Swanage Rly
Gavin Johns Chairman, Swanage Railway
10.10 What? Run a museum? How hard can that be?
A case study on refocussing and reshaping a heritage tramway
Graham Bennett Chief Executive, National Tramway Museum, Crich
10.40 Recovery from an Operational Incident
Richard Jones Operations Manager, Llangollen Railway
11.10 Break - Networking - Tea/Coffee
11.30 Stressed businesses and the risk of insolvency – Turning around and restructuring businesses in a stressed environment
The economy is seriously stressed, businesses are stressed and more and more is being asked of our leaders, managers, staff and volunteers …
In this session, introduced by North Yorkshire Moors and Talyllyn railways Finance Director Garry Mumford, with Anton de Leeuw and Tim Pritchard (specialists in stabilising, refocusing and transforming businesses in distress) take you through the legal and practical management moves needed to unlock sustainable performance, preserve jobs and achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders.
Anton de Leeuw Chief Executive, BM&T European Restructuring Solutions
Tim Pritchard Legal Director at Foot Anstey LLP
12.00 'Could you run a heritage railway?'
Reflecting on the real-world operational pressures and the global and societal forces stacking-up against us, Robin and John unify the disparate themes on the agenda, leave the room thinking differently and challenge the myth that ‘just getting on with it’ is enough!
John Bailey Trustee, NYMR & Company Secretary, HRA
Dr Robin Coombes General Manager, Kent & East Sussex Railway
12.30 Panel Session
Staying on the Front Foot - Future-proofing our Heritage Railways
A selection of the speakers from this morning’s sessions discuss how to balance the very real challenges of running a heritage railway, while highlighting heritage rail’s strengths and proudly talking-up our railways and tramways.
13:00 Lunch
… and the opportunity to network with colleagues
The Regulatory Bit!
14.00 ‘Managing health as well as safety’ and ‘Managing events – safely’
Simon Barber, HM Principal Inspector of Railways, ORR
15.00 Break - Networking with Tea/Coffee
15.20 A Technical Innovation - Safety Culture and how Lynton and Lynmouth Lift Company adopted their Digital Reporting Platform
Adam Collier Engineer & Operations Manager, Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Rly
15.35 A standard for ‘Platform Train Interface’- In development
15.00 Break - Networking with Tea/Coffee
16.00 Coal … again!
A policy approach on coal and Net Zero … and latest updates on the governmental position
16.30 Heritage Rail at 75
16.40 Round-up and Close
Steve Oates HRA Chief Exec
16.45 The HRA Members and Partners Drinks Reception Hosted by Rail Events Inc
- Drinks Reception and networking for all delegates and exhibitors kindly supported by Rail Events Inc
18.00 End
PLUS
From 14.00 to 16.00 Grants and Funding ‘Advice Surgery’
A drop in session in the Bar area to find out more about the opportunities that exist for your railway, tramway or rolling stock group to access external funding, with two experts in the field.
- Sian Mexsom Mexsom Associates Limited, Fundraising consultancy and interim management
- Edmund Southworth Chair of the HRA Museums Group and former panel member of NLHF
