HRA Autumn Conference - 3rd & 4th November 2026 - BCEC

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

• Keynote speakers offering fresh insight into adapting, innovating and volunteer engagement
• Engaging sessions to learn from peers, explore new approaches and take away practical ideas to implement and tools to strengthen your organisations
• Panel discussions exploring the future of volunteering in heritage rail and facing the challenge of severe weather incidents
• Networking and Collaborating with your counterparts in heritage rail
• 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 planned and speakers booked but topics planned include:

Weather and Climate

• “I don’t regret it for one moment …” – Moving to oil burning – A case study – Paul Middleton
• Developing and implementing a severe weather plan – Jonathan Dunster
• Managing ‘S’ buckles in trackwork - David Ventry
• Infrastructure failures 
• Welfare and wellbeing in hot weather
• Lineside fires – mitigating and reducing the risks 
• Threats and incidents - planning and reaction for crisis communications  

Communications, tourism, commercial and business

• What can we learn from outside heritage rail?
• Change, Refresh and Grow
• One year in from a marketing managers perspective
• Artificial Intelligence 
• The numbers
• Where does retail fit? 

Volunteers

• The legal bit; Volunteers or workers?
• Young Persons Guidance – the opportunity
• Safeguarding on Heritage Railways: A Practical Guide
• Young volunteers, or young leaders?