Autumn 2025 Day Two
Wednesday 5 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 What if the visitors, volunteers and staff your railway needs are already here, on the platform, but face too many barriers to ‘get on board’?
Richard & Charlie Ferriman Neurodiversity Global
10.10 ‘Preserving the Past, Securing the Future: Why Heritage Railways Must Invest in Apprenticeships’ …
(A UK scheme for Heritage Engineering Apprenticeships)
With an aging workforce, the heritage railway sector faces a critical skills gap. Claire outlines the urgent need for investment in apprenticeship training to teach the next generation of skilled workers, ensuring the preservation of essential engineering and operational expertise before it's lost forever.
Claire Cavaghan Chief Executive, Derwent Training
10.40 Recruiting, retaining and managing volunteers …
Lived experience and insights to help shape how your railway can take action to grow a committed and engage volunteer base
Sophie Allinson Tanfield Rly
11.10 Break - Networking - Tea/Coffee
11.30 Keynote
– Making the Case for Heritage Rail in Parliament
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay Shadow Heritage Minister and HRA Chairman
12.00 Filming in heritage locations
Christina Pascoe Chief Executiveand founder of the Heritage Filming Alliance, and Commercial Development Lead for English Heritage
12.30 Tourism trends and insights for 2026
Jon Young, Insights Director, Decision House
13:00 Lunch
… and the opportunity to network with colleagues
14.30 Attracting more visitors
A selection of tried and tested ideas, events and activities to generate revenue, secures great PR or maybe forms a new income stream …
With speakers from:
Severn Valley Railway
Kent & East Sussex Railway
Rail Events Inc
Talyllyn Railway
Keighly & Worth Valley Railway
The Watercress Line
16.30 Round-up and Close
Steve Oates HRA Chief Exec
