The Heritage Railway Association is looking to bolster the number of up-and-coming figures in the sector at its autumn conference in Birmingham.
The event will focus on new ideas, solutions and insights for heritage rail into 2027 and beyond. The packed line-up of speakers will be drawn from the heritage rail industry itself, other heritage sectors and the tourism industry.
Subjects being plannedfor the two-day event range from safety to funding, marketing and AI, plus sessions on tackling barriers to volunteering especially among younger people. Attendees will be able to take away real-life practical ideas, tips and inspiration to put into practice on their own line.
A specific focus on infrastructure is set to be on the agenda too, intended to help heritage rail trustees, directors and managers find new solutions to help ageing assets combat ever harshening weather conditions.
After touring locations such as Southampton, Llandudno and Gateshead recently, a central venue has been chosen for the Autumn conference. Birmingham Conference and Exhibition Centre, right in the heart of Birmingham city centre, will be hosting the event on Tuesday, 3 and Wednesday, 4 November.
The event is intended for everyone at the sharp end of heritage rail, from up-and-coming managers to seasoned chief executives and trustees. Alongside the formal agenda, the event will provide some of the best networking opportunities in the heritage rail sector; with a social event in the evening where many of the best connections are made.
Heritage Railway Association Chief Executive, Steve Oates, said: “These events have traditionally welcomed the people already making the key decisions in heritage rail, and that is one of their strengths.
“But we want to widen the sphere of those who get the chance to engage with the critical issues facing our sector heading into 2027 … how do we thrive and remain credible in a constantly challenging tourism economy?; how do we ensure that our ageing infrastructure and assets are in top condition?; plus how do we attract and develop new people to make it all possible.
“We do already see some of the future stars in our sector at heritage rail conferences, but we’d like to see a lot more. We know from the HRA Awards that there is a huge amount of young and developing talent in the industry, and we’d like those people to play a greater part in our conferences.
“If you’re a director, trustee or General Manager who already has the event in your diary, think about who the rising stars are in your organisation that should come along with you. The opportunities to learn more about the sector, meet others and develop their skills shouldn’t be underestimated.”
In what is hoped to be a taste of what’s to come, the Spring 2026 conference heard from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Erin Flynn and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways’ Felix Singleton about their start in the world of heritage rail, reminding the audience of just how exciting and life-changing the experience can be.
Longstanding Vice Chair at the Vintage Carriages Trust, Ian Smith, is a veteran of many HRA events. He added: “The two young volunteers presentations hit a chord with me. Younger volunteers are so necessary to our future and they gave really good presentations that we could all learn from, particularly Erin.”
Bookings for the HRA Autumn Conference are open, with ‘Early Bird’ rates available now.
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