HRA Autumn Conference 2026

‘Adapting to change when the world around us already has’

Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4, November 2026

Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
Hill Street,
Birmingham,
B5 4EW

Supported by

For future leaders and seasoned directors, trustees or managers ...

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN  - Ticket sales close at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 20 October.

 

Bringing together leaders, managers, young volunteers, rising stars and heritage rail people from across the UK for two days of learning, reflection and inspiration.

The conference offers a space to connect, share practice, challenge thinking and take away ideas and real-life examples to keep your railway, tramway or rolling stock group on the front foot!

What to Expect

• Useable ideas to adapt to our changing weather patterns
• Actionable insights and opportunities to maximise visitor spend
• Strategies for engaging, inspiring and motivating volunteers
• Expert guidance on new legislation
• Meaningful connections to collaborate and help tackle the tough issues
• The HRA Members and Partners Drinks Reception - Drinks reception and networking for all delegates and exhibitors kindly supported by Steam Railway Magazine

Conference Schedule

Sessions are still being finalised and topics scheduled include:

Day one

“I don’t regret it for one moment …” Moving to oil burning – a case study
Paul Middleton, Director of Mechanical Engineering, North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Managing Track for Hot Weather
David Ventry, Chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Company and former Head of Track Engineering at Network Rail

The recent heatwave across Europe has already caused track buckles on heritage railways, affecting several members. David will share his expertise on how to manage track to avoid buckles occurring and what to do if they happen.

Developing a robust fire risk prevention system
Matt Bell, Chief Operations Officer, North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Developing and implementing a severe weather plan
Jonathan Dunster, Managing Director, Severn Valley Railway

Hot stuff from Tywyn – All steamed up! But keeping our cool: Staff wellbeing and safety in hot weather
Lorraine Simkiss and Liz Porrett, Joint GMs, Talyllyn Railway

Dartmouth Steam Railway Fire Train
Nick Dunn, Director of H&S and Railway Operating Manager, Dartmouth Steam Railway

Grants and Funding drop-in ‘Advice Surgery’
Sian Mexsom, Mexsom Associates Limited, Fundraising consultancy and interim management, and Edmund Southworth, Chair HRA Museums Committee

Co-operation and Collaboration
Michael Whitehouse, Chairman of HRA Premier Partner Vintage Trains

Costs are rising and some heritage railways are struggling with reducing passenger numbers, ageing volunteers and engineering expertise. But there are solutions in co-operation and collaboration which the mainline tour the day before the conference – a collaboration between Vintage Trains, Severn Valley Railway and the HRA to mark 75 years of heritage rail volunteering - will demonstrate.

With Vintage Trains also about to enter an memorandum of understanding with the Talyllyn to celebrate and develop their pioneer connections, Michael discusses opportunities for the future with collaboration and different thinking,

The Regulatory Bit - Managing Health and Safety During Challenging Times
Simon Barber, HM Principal Inspector of Railways, ORR

With a variety of different challenges facing heritage railways, the ORR will provide their view on key areas of focus to ensure your heritage railway continues to operate safely.

Lessons learned from the investigation into the derailment on the Churnet Valley Railway - TBC
Greg Wilson, General Manager, Churnet Valley Railway - TBC

Understanding and complying with new legislation

Heritage Railways and the New Planning Landscape – Risks and Opportunities from changes to the National PLanning Policy Framework
Simon Hickman, Heritage Director, Avalon Planning and Trustee, Avon Valley Railway

Suspend Disbelief – and prepare for ‘Martyn’s Law’
John Bailey, Chair, HRA Legal and Parliamentary Advisory Committee

 

The HRA Members and Partners Drinks Reception Hosted by Steam Railway Magazine with canapes kindly sponsored by Rail Events Inc

Drinks Reception and networking for all delegates and exhibitors kindly supported by Steam Railway Magazine and Rail Events.

 

Day two

Change, Refresh and Grow
Paul Whiting, Commercial Director, North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Six months into his role at the NYMR, Paul discusses his approach to take the NYMR forward in the current very challenging climate (both commercially and environmentally), and reflects on lessons heritage rail can learn from other sectors

How to make the railway press work for you
Tom Bright, Deputy Editor, Steam Railway Magazine

In an era when making yourself heard amid the noise of social media is increasingly challenging, publicising yourself to the audiences that matter is a vital part of running a heritage railway. Steam Railway magazine News Editor Thomas Bright will help you understand what the railway press is and what it does, why it is important, and how you can make the best use of it.

Why Visit? Understanding the Changing Visitor Economy
Olly Reed Growth Director, Navigate 

What the latest trends in visitor behaviour, marketing and expectations mean for heritage railways, with practical lessons from attractions across the UK.                

With nearly 20 years’ experience in the visitor economy, including 14 years working inside attractions and charities, Olly brings together audience insight, marketing strategy and commercial thinking. Now working with more than 50 UK attractions, he regularly speaks and writes about visitor behaviour, market trends and the future of the sector. He also led Navigate’s national weather campaign with Chester Zoo, challenging how forecasts are communicated and highlighting the very real impact Britain’s weather has on visitor attractions

Youth volunteering - It's not about us, it's about them!
Richard Owen, Commercial Director, Telford Steam Railway
Giles Perkins, Chair, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway
Richard and Giles will deliver a thought provoking presentation on their approaches to delivering outcomes for young people through railway volunteering. The session will focus on how to grow a younger volunteer base through highlighting learnings and benefits for individuals rather than volunteers simply being seen as resources for the railway.

With Telford growing it’s 20-something pool and the L&B launching their teen programme in a sparsely populated area, there are insights for all in this session, including case studies on what they have achieved and their impact on the railway

Young Persons Guidance – the opportunity
Dr Robin Coombes, Heritage Rail Researcher

Following the hard-fought amendment to the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the subsequent guidance for young persons volunteering on heritage railways, Robin explores and highlights the new opportunities opened-up for heritage railways and tramways

Safeguarding on Heritage Railways
Louise Thornton, Business Development Manager, The Railway Children

Generational abuse normalises violence. Societal norms put children at risk. Gaps in child protection systems let the most vulnerable fall into danger. They take away children’s voices and make young people invisible.

But we see them. We hear them. And we’re there for them before they turn to the streets, when at risk and after we’ve got them to safety.

The Panel
Young Volunteers Young Leaders

Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board 
Rachael Bowers, Railway Heritage Governance Manager, Science Museum Group

HOPS 
Alex Seal, Managing Director

 

Evening Networking

Staying overnight on Monday and/or Tuesday? There will be plenty of opportunity to network in the hotel bar or at a nearby pub during the evenings.

 

Whether you work at a long standard gauge railway, a seaside tramway, or a 15in gauge line, you'll take away invaluable ideas and inspiration that can be actioned on your own line.

 

Recent HRA Conferences … What you said!

Genuine quotes from heritage rail people just like you who have attended HRA Conferences:

• “All-round excellent - the content, the networking - all good”
• “The fact that we felt uncomfortable at times was good!”
• “There was a real sense of community and there was so much willingness to help us with problems”
• “The chance to listen, learn and acknowledge that all the problems are not just ours!”
• “Friendly, helpful, informative, good to meet people with useful experience and knowledge”
• “Opportunity to network - but also find out the things you didn't know you needed to know”
• “HRA conferences spark motivation and trigger ideas - I have come away with 27 action points!”
• “Valuable info for my role and plenty of action points to take away”

 

BOOK NOW