The time is almost here for the launch of the rail civils and systems show Railworx
Live demonstrations, working machinery and innovation will all be on display at Railworx, which takes place at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, between June 11-13.
Co-located with Plantworx, the UK’s largest working plant and equipment exhibition, the new show has been made possible thanks to a new partnership between Rail Media, publisher of RailStaff which has experience of managing outdoor rail industry shows, and Plantworx organiser the Construction Equipment Association. 2019 will mark the first time that rail has had such a significant presence at the show, and – with major civil engineering projects such as HS2 – reflects the growing importance of rail infrastructure to the UK construction industry.
What to expect
Railworx will appeal to all of those involved in station refurbishment, resignalling schemes, bad-weather resilience, infrastructure maintenance and reconstruction, high-speed communications, electrification and power, systems engineering, building information, remote monitoring and so much more.
While more than 380 companies have confirmed they are exhibiting across the combined show so far, around 20,000 visitors are expected to attend this year.
Joining major construction equipment players such as JCB and Komatsu will be rail businesses such as: Dual Inventive, Van Elle, Hitachi Infocon, iLecsys, Thomson Engineering Design, Rowe Hankins, CPM, Hilti, Fenix Signalling, Bolle Safety and RSS Infrastructure. Network Rail – including its Signalling Innovation Group and Group Digital Railway – the National College for High Speed Rail and the Railway Industry Association (RIA) will also be supporting the show.
As well as the chance to see rail civil and systems engineering used for rail civil engineering, including piling, reinforcing, drainage, access, lifting, surveying and monitoring, live and working – the only exhibition to do so – organisers have worked hard to arrange a number of special features:
InnovationWorx
Network Rail’s Signalling Innovation Group, as well as 33 of its suppliers, are showing off their latest developments, products and techniques in signalling, telecommunications, electrification and Digital Railway.
Meet the Buyer
RIA is assembling a group of buyers and procurement specialists from major UK rail companies and contractors. These important buyers will be holding meetings on site so that visitors and exhibitors alike can arrange discussions, present their offerings and hopefully plan to meet again to discuss cooperation in more detail.
Consultants Row
Where the industry’s designers and consultants show what they can do.
The Get SET Zone
Designed to help visitors explore employment opportunities and access services that may well help them to find a new job, get back into work, or get started in their career. RailwayPeople.com, the rail industry’s largest online job board, will be hosting a recruitment wall on which exhibitors can post vacancies and visitors can see what jobs are available. A number of recruitment company directors will also be attending each day to talk about the industry while Julie Wilkinson CVs will be providing a writing service and MIND will be offering free advice to visitors about mental health support in the workplace.
The Skills Conference
The organisers are keeping details as to who is speaking at the conference under their hats for the moment but expect to see the programme filled with construction and transport experts who will discuss how the two sectors can work together to meet the demand for engineering and professional skills. This is due to be held on the final day of the exhibition.
Major civil engineering contractors and front line suppliers to Network Rail and HS2 will be in attendance at Railworx to connect with their existing and potential supply chains. Being a rail show, the Railworx team has arranged for Network Rail to supply track panels so that exhibitors can show off their equipment in an environment that is as close to a live railway as possible, but without the safety hazards that being on a live railway would bring. They have even managed to get hold of a working set of points for one exhibitor!
Plantworx
In addition, visitors to Railworx will also be able to enjoy the features of Plantworx:
The Simulation Zone
The UK’s first fully interactive construction simulation zone will highlight the latest technology and how it is being used for ‘virtual’ training. Nationally there is a shortfall of machinery operators in the UK, especially with upcoming projects such as HS2 using large numbers of operators. It is hoped this zone can inspire some of the young engineers who will be attending the show.
Classic Plant Exhibition
At the very heart of the show, visitors can take a step back in time, revisiting the kit that inspired today’s modern machines.
The Drone Zone
An aerial revolution is happening with the use of drones in rail and construction growing dramatically in recent years. Reflecting this change, Plantworx will host its first ever ‘Fly Zone’ where visitors can experience drones first-hand over 2,300sqm of indoor space.
Combined, the two shows will occupy approximately 50 acres of land, with plenty of opportunities for cross-sector information gathering, networking and for striking up new business. Can you afford to miss it?
