Heritage Railway Association events are all purpose designed to help the heritage rail sector.
They're also a great way to meet new people from the sector, network and share information and ideas with colleagues from other HRA member organisations. We hold events regularly and try to use locations that are easily accessible for members from across the UK.
HRA Conferences
Our conferences are the biggest, most informative events that exist for heritage rail managers, directors, trustees and other senior volunteers or staff. They're never afraid to delve into the most challenging topics and to bring people together who are looking to find solutions to the biggest issues the sector faces.
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Previous events have covered everything from coal to marketing and communications; from equality and diversity to safety; governance to young volunteer recruitment. Every HRA conference is a 'must do' event if you're at the sharp end of heritage rail.
HRA Annual Awards
The Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards, is the 'Oscars' of the heritage rail sector. The long-running awards recognise excellence or innovation in almost every aspect of heritage railway and tramway restoration, preservation and operation. Recent winners have ranged from the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway’s 2ft 6in gauge steam locomotive Premier, to the Class 50 Alliance for their work on late-1960s 100mph diesel electric locomotives, and even a train of galvanised steel coal hoppers.
The 2024 HRA Awards Evening and Dinner for finalists were held in Brighton during February and will feature guest speakers and networking opportunities alongside a three-course meal.
Entries for the HRA Annual Awards 2025 will be open later this year.
2024 ORR heritage workshops
The Heritage Railway Association is again working with the Office of Rail and Road to offer a programme of seminars to help improve health and safety management capability and, this year, specifically Safety Management Systems.
Recent events
Presentations and documents from a range of recent events can be found here
Autumn Conference 2023
The Heritage Railway Association Autumn Conference in Newcastle presented the latest thinking from the most knowledgeable, experienced, and innovative people in the heritage rail sector.
RM3 Heritage workshops
The Office of Rail and Road and the Heritage Railway Association ran six RM3 Heritage Workshops at various locations around the country during 2023.