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.
NEW
Coffee and Conversation
The heritage rail sector thrives on collaboration, shared experience and strong leadership - but how often do we get the chance to simply connect, talk and learn from one another? We’ve launched our new monthly Coffee and Conversation event - an informal, free, one-hour online gathering designed exclusively for heritage railway leaders.
NEW
Competency Assessor Training
Competence development and assessment must form part of the strategic operations planning for all heritage railways and tramways. The Heritage Railway Association is running a further series of these popular short courses for assessors during 2026.
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.
Our next conference will be in Birmingham during November 2026.
Book now
Leader's Lunches
The Leader’s Lunches have been designed as great networking events for those at the head of organisations in the sector. They will provide ideal opportunities for peer-to-peer conversations with counterparts in other heritage rail bodies and the chance to build new connections.
Leader's Lunches
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 a superbly restored Class 03 diesel shunter to Bulleid 'Merchant Navy' express steam locomotive Canadian Pacific, and even a theatre show.
HRA Annual Awards 2026 winners
Details of the 2027 awards will be announced during late summer.
Safety workshops
The Heritage Railway Association is working with the Office of Rail and Road and Rail Accident Investigation Branch to offer a programme of seminars. Dates for the 2026/27 series of workshops have now been released.
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Recent events
Presentations and documents from a range of recent events can be found here ...
Spring Conference 2026
Held in Gateshead during April 2026 covering subjects including encouraging young volunteers, using video effectively in heritage rail communications and safety
Autumn Conference 2025
Held in Southampton during November, this event included content on governance, safety and events.
Spring Conference 2025
Our Spring Conference was in Nottingham with a focus on marketing, coal and infrastructure.
HRA Awards 2025
The expansion of the National Railway Museum’s Locomotion site in Shildon, the recreation of Brighton ‘Atlantic’ Beachy Head, and the determined bounce back of the Downpatrick and County Down Railway were among the big winners at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2025.
Autumn Conference 2024
Our Autumn Conference in Torquay during November covered funding, director and trustee competence, safety ... and much, much more.
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.
Spring Conference 2024
The Heritage Railway Association conference came to Llandudno with a host of presentations on the latest challenges facing the sector.
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.
Scottish Leaders Lunch and Mini Forum
The first Scottish Leaders Lunch and Mini Forum will bring together leaders from across the sector for an afternoon of insight, discussion, and connection. Alongside valuable networking opportunities, the programme will feature a series of short, engaging presentations on key topics shaping heritage rail organisations today, drawing on themes from the Heritage Rail Spring Conference alongside issues specific to Scotland. Sessions planned will co...
Leader's Lunch - Cambridge
Thursday, 21 May 2026 - 12.30pm to 4pm Station Tavern 2 Station Square Cambridge CB1 2GA The Leader’s Lunches have been designed as great networking events for chairs, general manag...
Coffee and Conversation - May
The heritage rail sector thrives on collaboration, shared experience and strong leadership - but how often do we get the chance to simply connect, talk and learn from one another?We’ve launched...