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
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For future leaders and seasoned directors, trustees or managers ...
Full agendas now available to download
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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 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
Completion of the first full-size steam locomotive oil conversion in the UK since the end of steam, the return to steam of USATC No. 2253Omahafollowing its conversion to oil-burningis seen as a crucial step forward in future-proofing the busiest heritage railway in the country.
With no regrets on undertaking the project and wishing he’d done it sooner, Paul is very clear of the benefits of conversion in helping to reduce reliance on coal, reducing particulate emissions, and bringing resilience during hot weather periods.
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
Lineside fires and, more widely, the risk of wildfires in very hot, dry conditions are presenting new challenges for heritage railways.
With lessons and tips for every heritage railway, Matt sets-out the work undertaken over the last few years at the NYMR to meet those challenges and develop a robust fire risk prevention system with multiple mitigations, covering equipment, lineside and conservation work, training, building positive relationships with the fire service, volunteer recruitment and training, and their leadership and management structures.
Developing and implementing a severe weather plan
Jonathan Dunster, Managing Director, Severn Valley Railway
During a severe storm in January last year, a tree fell damaging and partially collapsing one of the wing walls of Mor Brook bridge on the Severn Valley Railway, causing a landslip, discharging material into the brook and severing the line and seriously restricting operations for six months.
Learning from Mor Brook and other weather events, Gus takes us through the SVR’s Severe Weather Plan to enhance safety, reduce operational risk and minimise the impact of weather hazards on passengers, staff and volunteers
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
Preerving the Past - Inspiring the Future
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
Greg Wilson, General Manager, Churnet Valley Railway
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
Simon explores the Government's increasing emphasis on economic growth, investment, infrastructure, tourism, regeneration and rural prosperity, and contends that the railways that flourish over the coming decades will be those that understand how to position themselves not only as heritage assets, but as economic assets - Not only as guardians of the past, but as contributors to the future. And above all, those that engage with the planning system early enough to shape it rather than simply react to it.
Suspend Disbelief – and prepare for ‘Martyn’s Law’
John Bailey, Chair, HRA Legal and Parliamentary Advisory Committee
There is no avoiding the additional regulatory burden that the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 imposes. So many organisations - from modest village halls to major concert venues to heritage railways - are within its scope. John assesses the implications for heritage railways and tramways, and highlights the need to be preparing now in readiness for the Act coming into force in April.
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
Keynote – Lord Stephen Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Shadow Heritage Minister and Chair, Heritage Railway Association – Introduced by HRA President Lord Faulkner
As the Railways Bill progresses through Parliament, Stephen highlights the work being undertaken on behalf of heritage rail and mainline heritage operators … And with a raft of other government legislation progressing through Parliament, Stephen reflects on some of the opportunities, challenges and success for heritage rail
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
Joe Clay, Safeguarding Partnerships 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.
Young Volunteers Young Leaders
Christopher McCausland Director & Compliance Officer, Downpatrick & County Down Railway, and Alexander Hando Trustee, Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Talyllyn Railway
Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board
Rachael Bowers, Railway Heritage Governance Manager, Science Museum Group
30 years since the Board's establishment, it has helped secure the future of thousands of significant railway heritage objects, from locomotives and rolling stock to artworks, archives and railway furniture. Many of these designated objects are now cared for by museums and heritage railways across the UK.
Rachael highlights the Board's contribution to railway heritage, explaining how the designation scheme works and operates in practice, and addresses some of the misconceptions that have grown up around designation over the years and provide greater visibility of a scheme that many organisations engage with but may not always fully understand.
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”
Culture of Opportunity consultation
Dr Robin Coombes is looking for help with his work on young people, heritage railways and
the challenge of remaining relevant. He has a few questions for your railway, tramway or group.
