At the Heritage Railway Association‘s annual conference to be held next month, the keynote speaker will be Sir Peter Hendy, the current Chair of Network Rail and formerly the Commissioner of Transport for London.

The conference will focus on the enormous challenges facing heritage railways both now and in future years, including how to overcome spiralling costs whilst potential visitors have less money to spend in their pockets.

Sir Peter Hendy will lead a field of 23 speakers and contributors at the event to be held in Birmingham on Tuesday, 1st and Wednesday, 2nd November. He will discuss how Britain’s railways are being reformed and modernised, how changes on the national rail network could influence both heritage railways and their visitors, and provide an insight into plans to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

Also speaking at the event will be senior figures in the Office of Rail and Road on how heritage rail can improve its safety management processes, including Richard Hines the new Deputy Chief Inspector of Railways at the Railway Safety Directorate, ORR, and ORR Head of Non-Mainline Railways, Patrick Talbot.

Among the items to be discussed will be how heritage railways can broaden their offering. Kerry Noble, General Manager of the West Somerset Railway General Manager will talk about how the railway turned its business around after a period of turmoil.

A major topic will be governance, and Wrigleys Solicitors, who are experts in charity and not-for-profit sector governance, will explain the latest thinking and provide advice on how to navigate current guidance and put best practice into action.

Among the many other speakers will be Ian Purkis from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, and Paul Vidler from the Kent and East Sussex Railway, who will be discussing environmental sustainability. There will also be various sessions on everything from branding, and mental health, to the challenges of heritage infrastructure.

Tickets for the conference are now available with special rates for Heritage Railway Association members. Further information and booking details are available at www.hra.uk.com/events

This year the Heritage Railway Association is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Heritage Railway Association Chief Executive, Steve Oates, said: “Six months ago, if you’d asked me what the biggest challenge in heritage rail was, I would undoubtedly have said coal. Right now, though, it’s more complex as the world in which heritage rail now exists has changed massively in a very short space of time. I’m pleased to say that help is at hand as our conference in Birmingham will cover all the latest issues in the sector.

“Of particular note, our panel session on day two is drawing members from within heritage rail, and from the wider visitor economy, to discuss the realities of the current economic climate, the need to rethink things businesses thought were sacrosanct, and to look for credible ideas for 2023 and beyond.

“There are no better opportunities in heritage rail to hear from the best thinkers in the sector than this conference. There is no better chance to give yourself, and your railway, the latest information and knowledge relevant to heritage rail. And there are no better ways to share your challenges with like-minded individuals and come away brimming with ideas. It really is a must for managers and directors at the sharp end of heritage rail.”