Last year Network Rail, the Rail Alliance and Rail Media Group, hosted the first National Track Plant Exhibition at Long Marston. Hailed as a great success, over 22 companies from the supply chain exhibited products and services to 3,700 attendees. The show raised nearly £30,000 for the Railway Children and Action for Children.
Following encouraging feedback from exhibitors and attendees, the 2014 show will now include the whole rail offering demonstrating innovation within Track, Electrification, Asset Management Services, Signalling and Telecoms. The event has been re-named ‘Rail Live 2014’ and looks like becoming the largest outdoor rail event in the UK.
Rail Live 2014 will be held at Long Marston, near Stratford-upon-Avon, on 18 and 19 June. The expanded show will include:
- A rail and road connected exhibition area demonstrating rail infrastructure
- Live demonstrations of innovative working methods
- Practical demonstrations of equipment
- Opportunity to meet your customers and suppliers face to face
- An educational experience to all visitor.
Registration to exhibit and visit the show is free and must be done via the designated website www.raillive2014. com which is now live. Already, over 130 companies have signed up to exhibit.
Says Steve Featherstone, Programme Director Track, Infrastructure Projects, Network Rail, ‘Feedback from those who attended last year’s event was fantastic. This year’s event will be even bigger and even better. The event is all about showcasing solutions to the challenges we face on the railway. Hopefully over 5,000 railway colleagues will attend and take away solutions to problems that they have. If everybody just takes away one new idea we will have added a lot of value to the railway.’
Mark Southwell, Signalling Programme Director, Infrastructure Projects agrees. ‘Events like this is what it is all about for me. It’s a true reflection of collaboration with the industry that we are proud to be a part of. For me, having a hands-on look at what innovation is out there can only spark stimulating discussion, whilst encouraging continuous improvement. It is a great opportunity for every company involved to network and meet people face to face. This is absolutely the way forward and I urge people to get involved.’
As the site will operate as a live railway environment, all exhibitors and visitors must attend wearing full PPE (personal protection equipment). Admittance to Rail Live 2014 will not be allowed without boots, safety glasses, high-visibility trousers and jackets/ vests, gloves and hard hats… so if you are planning to attend, don’t forget them and your ticket.
