Spring Conference 2026
‘People and possibilities’ – the heritage rail spring conference 2026
Hosted by the Heritage Railway Association
Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th April 2026
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, Bottle Bank, Gateshead
Linking the themes of ‘People’, ‘Insights’ and ‘Opportunities’ you’ll learn and takeaway:
- Actionable insights and opportunities
- Strategies for engaging, inspiring and motivating volunteers
- Useable and useful ideas and innovations
- Meaningful connections and opportunities to collaborate
Early-Bird two-day tickets are now available at 'cost-price'
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Designed to stimulate thinking and draw together ideas and opportunities, our speakers and panellists will share their lived experiences and insights to help you steer through the current challenges
Announcements on speakers, sessions and topics coming soon.
With a variety of sessions and speakers being confirmed, the heritage rail spring conference is for leaders, managers and volunteers across every heritage railway, tramway, funicular railway and related organisation. If you’ve got concerns, worries or uncertainties about getting through the next couple of years, you need to be there!
Ticket prices have again been kept to a minimum; this conference is designed to be accessible and relevant to all.
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.
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”
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Please Note: Tickets are available for the conference only and do not include for hotel accommodation or any other costs attendees may incur in attending this event.
