Railfuture now holds one major national conference each year, in late summer/early autumn (in addition to its AGM for members). We aim only to cover our costs. The conferences are competitively priced, to be within rail users' price range, and are open to everyone. Railfuture members are usually offered a chance to attend at a discounted rate. We also produce free-to-attend Webinars.
Speakers come from a variety of backgrounds. Some of the organisations who have spoken at conferences and webinars include Anglia Railways, Arriva Cross Country, Arriva Trains Wales, Association of Train Operating Companies, Cardiff International Airport, Centro, Chester-le-Track, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry Trains, Delta Rail, East Coast, East Midlands Trains, East West Rail Consortium, Eurostar, First Capital Connect, First Great Western, First Transpennine Express, Furrer + Frey GB, Grand Central, Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT), Great Western Railway, Greater Anglia, Green Signals, Heathrow Southern Railway, Hitachi Rail Europe, HS2, Independent Rail Retailers, London Midland, London Overground Railway Operations, Merseytravel, MyTestTrack.com, Network Rail, Northern Rail, Northern Trains, Northern (Arriva Rail North), Nottingham Express Transit, Parry People Movers, Port Of Sunderland, Rail Delivery Group, RSSB, ScotRail Alliance, SLC Rail, Southeastern, South West Trains, Thameslink and Great Northern, Transpennine Express, TramPower, Transport for Wales Rail, Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, UK Rail Leasing, Virgin Trains, Virgin Trains East Coast, Vivarail and West Midlands Trains.
To follow Railfuture's conferences and webinars on Twitter use the hash-tag shown against the event.
Note: this hash-tag is not exclusive to Railfuture.
Future Events
Click HERE For a list of rail-related events including free-to-attend Railfuture branch meetings
2025/Peterborough - RAILFUTURE REGIONAL MINI-CONFERENCE [link]
- Thu 15/05/2025 Mini-Conference for East Anglia, East Midlands and Lincolnshire [Why Attend?]
- 2 days until conference
- This is a FREE event but please register in advance (see 'Eventbrite' link below)
- Jerry Alderson, Railfuture director and organiser of this mini-conference said:
"This mini-conference will be in three parts: a) railway infrastucture improvements, b) passenger services in the future and c) celebrating Rail 200.
"Our event is being held in Peterborough, which is where the East Anglia, East Midlands and Lincolnshire branches meet. However, it is open to everyone, not just Railfuture members.
"Our first speaker, from Peterborough City Council, will explain how the area around Peterborough station is to be improved to make it more pleasurable, and the creation of a western entrance to reduce travel time to the station.
"Our second speaker, from the Great Central Railway, will talk about the most exciting, ambitious and expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken by any heritage railway in Britain.
"We then look at independent train services and retailing, considering how they will co-exist with Great British Railways, with two experienced senior members of the rail industry.
"After a break, we finish with a 45-minute video presentation using from the British Transport Films archives to celebrate Rail 200.
"Doors open at noon, giving a chance to talk informally to the speakers, over refreshments and a light buffet, before the presentations begin. We look forward to seeing you. Please book in advance to ensure your place." - Hosted by Railfuture East Anglia branch
- Social media hashtag (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) for this event: #rfconference
- Doors open at 12:00, when refreshments and a small buffet lunch will be available (donation of £5 will be requested). Presentations start at 13:00 and end at 16:30
- Speakers: [Read Speaker Biographies]
- Anthony Smith, Chair, Independent Rail Retailers
(talking about: How third-part retailers can complement Great British Railway's ticket selling) - Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director, Open Access, Tram & Cable (First Rail), First Group (talking about: Open-access operators in the GBR era)
- Tom Ingall
, TV Broadcaster who volunteers at the GCR, Great Central Railway
(talking about: Major project to reunify the two halves of the Great Central Railway at Loughborough)
- Building the 500-metre connection between the two heritage railways is the largest project ever attempted by any heritage railway
- Lewis Banks, Transport & Environment Manager, Peterborough City Council (talking about: Peterborough station quarter redevelopment)
- UPDATE: Government approved business case for Station Quarter on 12 May - see BBC News Report. Funding confirmation has to wait for the Comprehensive Spending Review.
- Barry Coward, British Transport Films Archivist 1986-1996 — an amateur filmmaker and train enthusiast (presentation of a 45-minute video, using British Transport Films footage from 1949-1986, to celebarate Rail 200)
- Unfortunately, Stef Foster of Green Signals is no longer able to attend, because of another engagement; our replacement speaker is BBC Broadcaster, Tom Ingall, see above. Ingrid Hooley has been replaced by Lewis Banks, but the presentation will be the same
- Venue: Peterborough Museum & Art Gallery
- Room: Howe Room — This is on the ground floor with a white door on the left after the picture of the Mona Lisa on the wall (not the original!)
- Priestgate, Peterborough
- Postcode: PE1 1LF
- Phone: (01733) 8646630
- Email: museum at peterboroughlimited.co.uk
- Venue location 'vest.spaces.posed' on map using 'what3words': https://what3words.com/vest.spaces.posed
- Route: The Museum is a gentle 10-minute walk from the station. Before the multi-storey car park, turn right, and take the short underpass and exit on the left (Crescent Bridge Subway East), into Priestgate, go past the tattoist's, walk to the end of and turn left. The museum will be on your right
- Additional info: Are you a Doctor Who fan? The Museum is hosting 'Adventures in Time & Space - Exhibition' which opens at 10.00 costing £5 for adults. Why not visit it before the conference?
- Read an [Article] about the conference
- Enquiries about the conference: please email conferences at railfuture.org.uk.
- Places for this conference are still available. Please book by Wed 14/05/2025
- Click
to book your place using
-
1
2025/Newcastle (AGM) [link]
- Sat 05/07/2025 20th Railfuture Ltd AGM
- 53 days until AGM
- Hosted by Railfuture North East branch
- Social media hashtag (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) for this event: #rfconference
- Registration from 10:00 with refreshments from 10:30. AGM starts at 11:00. Afternoon session with guest speakers from 13:30 (open to all). Close at 15:30
- Speakers:
- Simon Walton, Journalist and the Head of News and Digital Content at news titles in the northeast (talking about: Railfreight in the North)
- Jason Wade, Director North East, Northern Trains (talking about: logistics behind the reopening of the Northumberland line from lthe operator's view point)
- Dennis Fancett, Chair, South East Northumberland Rail User Group (talking about: campaign to reopen the Northumberland Line)
- The above is the full list of speakers in the afternoon (the morning will be the business part of the AGM)
- Venue: Great North Museum: Hancock [map]
- Room: Exhibition Hall 2
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Postcode: NE2 4PT
- Phone: (0191) 208 6765
- Email: info at greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
- The museum is free to enter, but the exhibitons are only open from 10:00 to 16:00 on a Saturday
- Venue location 'return.juror.lobby' on map using 'what3words': https://what3words.com/return.juror.lobby
- Route: The museum venue is an eight-minute walk from the Haymarket Metro station (via Northumberland Street, Barras Bridge and Claremont Road) ir a 25-minute walk from Newcastle station (via Grainger Street, Blackett Street, Brunswick Street and the Northumberland Street, with the same route from Haymarket Metro). See '[map]' link above for other transport information
- Enquiries about the AGM: please email conferences at railfuture.org.uk.
- The AGM is open to all current members or their proxy - there is no fee to attend.
- All paperwork was completed on Thu 27/02/2025. It is now too late to include anything for the AGM in the standard mailing with Railwatch.
- Proxy voting and registering your attendance is now open (click HERE to do so online) and paper forms must be received by the Membership Renewals officer, Lloyd Butler (see details on AGM notice) by Thu 03/07/2025
- Motions must be received by the Railfuture Ltd Chair, Chris Page (see details on AGM notice) by Sat 21/06/2025
- Information about how Railfuture is run, including a copy of the Articles of Association, can be found at Railfuture+organisation.
- Refreshments are complimentary. Lunch, if required, must be purchased in advance (by Mon 16/06/2025) [book].
- The venue does not allow people to eat their own food on the premises.
- Lunch Prices for Newcastle AGM: [book]
- £14.00 - Standard Lunch
Book Your AGM Lunch Now
(MEDIA: For a free 'press pass' please contact Bruce Williamson by e-mailing media at railfuture.org.uk or phone on 07759 557389).
Please mention any additional requirements or information by email (see 'enquiries' above) after receiving your booking acknowledgement.
Terms and Conditions
Before booking please make sure that you have read the Railfuture conference terms and conditions (PDF format).
Organisations that have spoken at Railfuture national events
Abbotsford House - home of Sir Walter Scott
:
- 2016/Scottish Borders: Giles Ingram
Anglia Railways:
- 2000/London: Jonathan Denby
- 2012/Birmingham: Richard Gibson
Arriva Trains Wales (2 events)
:
- 2010/Wrexham: Ben Jones
- 2005/Barry: Malcolm Howitt
Association of Community Rail Partnerships (3 events) :
- 2009/Corby: Brian Barnsley
- 2005/Manchester: Neil Buxton
- 2003/London: Paul Salveson
Association of Train Operating Companies (4 events):
- 2010/London: David Smith
- 2008/London: Chris Austin
- 2008/Coventry: Jim Morgan
- 1998/London: James Gordon
Bedford Commuters Association:
- 2007/Ely: Andy Long
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group:
- 2013/Taunton: Steve Smith
- 2012/Worcester: Cllr Timothy Huxtable
- 2015/Newark: Steve Barber
- 2014/Cambridge: Jim Chisholm
Cambridgeshire County Council
:
- 2014/Cambridge: Bob Menzies, Jeremy Smith
Campaign for Better Transport (3 events)
:
- 2016/Birmingham: Stephen Joseph
- 2011/Bletchley: Stephen Joseph
- 2011/Brighton: Alexandra Woodsworth
- 2018/Carlisle: Simon Walton
Cardiff International Airport
:
- 2005/Barry: Steve Hodgetts
- 2019/Cardiff: Professor Mark Barry
- 2005/Peterborough: Tim Phillips
Centro :
- 2012/Birmingham: Toby Rackliff
Chester to Shrewsbury Rail Partnership:
- 2004/Birmingham: Sheila Dee
- 2013/Durham: Alex Nelson
Chiltern Railways (4 events)
:
- 2013/Oxford: Stephen Barker
- 2012/Birmingham: Richard Harper
- 2004/Birmingham: Alan Dare
- 2001/London: Adrian Shooter
- 2023/Leeds: Karen Bennett
- 2023/Leeds: [Conference Chair:]Brian Barnsley
- 2006/Reading: Stephen Hammond MP
- 2009/Corby: Cllr Mark Pengelly
- 2007/Glasgow: Howard Pack
Cotswold Line Promotion Group:
- 2007/Ely: Derek Potter
- 2019/Bristol: Richard Gibson
- 2014/London: Anna Matthews
- 2014/London: Trevor Birch
- 2017/Leicester: Jim Seymour
- 2014/Sheffield: Chris Bell
- 2014/London: Karen Boswell
- 2009/Northallerton: Andy Coward
East Midlands Trains (2 events)
:
- 2017/Leicester: Jake Kelly
- 2009/Corby: Tim Shoveller
East Suffolk Travellers Association:
- 2011/Manchester: Trevor Garrod
East West Rail Consortium (2 events) :
- 2013/Oxford: Patrick O'Sullivan
- 2010/London: Patrick O'Sullivan
- 2024/Edinburgh: Professor Scott Arthur
Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway:
- 2009/Northallerton: Stephen Walker
- 2024/Edinburgh: Dr George Hazel OBE
Esk Valley Railway Development Company:
- 2019/Darlington: Alan Williams
European Passengers' Federation:
- 2012/Stirling: Trevor Garrod
Eurostar
:
- 2008/London: Simon Montague
- 2023/Leeds: Nick Flynn,Abby Taylor
- 2007/Ely: Robert Stripe
FirstBus :
- 2015/Bristol: James Freeman
- 2014/Cambridge: David Statham
First Great Western (3 events)
:
- 2010/Taunton: John Bird
- 2007/Ely: Bob Breakwell
- 2006/Swindon: Glenda Lamont
- 2009/Leeds: David Mallender
Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line :
- 2018/Carlisle: Mark Rand
Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways
:
- 2013/Taunton: Bernard Lane
Friends of the West Highland Lines (2 events) :
- 2018/Edinburgh: Fraser McDonald and Norman McNab
- 2011/Manchester: Peter Tomlinson
- 2017/Leicester: Rob Daffern
Grand Central (2 events)
:
- 2009/Northallerton: Tom Clift
- 2006/Stoke: Ian Yeowart
Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) (2 events) :
- 2023/Leeds: Craig Alexander
- 2022/Webinar: Suzanne Donnelly
Great Central Railway (3 events)
:
- 2025/Peterborough: Tom Ingall
- 2017/Leicester: Tom Ingall
- 2015/Newark: Tom Ingall
Great Western Railway (2 events)
:
- 2019/Bristol: Matt Barnes
- 2015/Bristol: Matthew Golton
- 2017/Peterborough: Jamie Burles
- 2008/London: Julie Mills
Green Party (3 events)
:
- 2018/Edinburgh: John Finnie MSP
- 2008/London: Caroline Lucas
- 2001/London: Jennie Jones
Halifax and District Rail Action Group :
- 2018/Carlisle: Stephen Waring
- 2008/Salisbury: Peter Murnaghan
- 2018/Reading: Graham Cross
Hertfordshire County Council
:
- 2010/London: Trevor Mason
Hitachi Rail Europe (2 events) :
- 2019/Darlington: Tim Rutter
- 2013/Durham: Andy Rogers
HS2 (2 events)
:
- 2015/Blackpool: Stephen McFarlane
- 2011/Bletchley: Prof. Andrew McNaughton
- 2025/Peterborough: Anthony Smith
- 2010/Taunton: Nick Gallop
- 2013/Taunton: John Chapman
- 2011/Manchester: Richard Watts
Labour Party (2 events)
:
- 2014/Sheffield: Mary Creagh MP
- 2011/Manchester: Lilian Greenwood MP
Leicestershire County Council :
- 2017/Leicester: Dr Terri Eynon
- 2016/Scottish Borders: Dr Allen Armstrong
- 2008/London: Norman Baker MP
- 2012/Birmingham: Nicola Moss
London Overground Railway Operations:
- 2010/London: Darren Hockaday
- 2001/Liverpool: Neil Scales
Midlands Connect (2 events) :
- 2021/Birmingham: Sarah Spink
- 2016/Birmingham: Maria Machancoses
- 2006/Stoke: George Watson
Network Rail (10 events)
:
- 2020/Webinar: Charlene [Charley] Wallace
- 2019/Bristol: Lorna Brown-Owens
- 2018/Reading: Anna Holbrook, Jill Poyton
- 2015/Newark: Graham Botham
- 2014/Cambridge: Paul McMahon
- 2013/Oxford: Chris Aldridge
- 2012/Birmingham: Mick Miller
- 2012/Stirling: Geoff Cook
- 2010/Taunton: Charles Varey
- 2005/Barry: David White
New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership :
- 2014/Cambridge: Chris Starkie
New Somerset and Dorset Railway
:
- 2013/Taunton: Dean Cockwell
- 2019/Darlington: Philip Meikle
Newark and Sherwood District Council
:
- 2015/Newark: Roger Blaney
- 2011/Manchester: Barry Graham
- 2025/Newcastle: Jason Wade
Northern (Arriva Rail North)
:
- 2017/Leeds: Paul Barnfield
North West Leicestershire District Council :
- 2017/Leicester: John Legrys, Sean Sheahan
North Yorkshire County Council :
- 2009/Northallerton: Richard Owens and Andrew Eason
North Yorkshire Moors Railway:
- 2009/Northallerton: Phil Bustard
- 2002/Nottingham: Colin Lee
Nottinghamshire County Council (3 events)
:
- 2010/London: Jim Bamford
- 2009/Corby: Jim Bamford
- 2002/Derby: Jonathan Hall
North Cheshire Rail Users Group:
- 2011/Manchester: Cedric Green and Janet Briggs
Oxfordshire County Council (2 events)
:
- 2013/Oxford: Martin Tugwell
- 1996/Bicester: Dick Helling
Parry People Movers (2 events):
- 2015/Bristol: John Parry
- 2006/Stoke: Caspar Lucas
- 2014/London: Sharon Hedges
- 2011/Bletchley: Jonathan Tyler
- 2025/Peterborough: Lewis Banks
- 2013/Taunton: Alan Matthews
- 2019/Darlington: Matthew Hunt
- 2020/Webinar: Jacqueline [Jac] Starr
Rail Freight Group (4 events) :
- 2023/Leeds: Phil Smart
- 2016/Birmingham: Lord Berkeley
- 2013/Oxford: Lord Berkeley
- 2008/London: Lord Berkeley
- 2014/London: Stefanie Browne
- 2017/Leeds: David Hoggarth
Railfuture (11 events)
:
- 2023/Leeds: Stewart Palmer
- 2022/Webinar: Stewart Palmer, Ian Brown CBE
- 2018/Carlisle: Stewart Palmer, Stewart Palmer
- 2015/Bristol: Peter Wakefield, Gerard Duddridge
- 2012/Stirling: Ken Sutherland
- 2011/Bletchley: Graham Nalty
- 2010/Taunton: George Boyle
- 2009/Corby: Colin Elliff
- 2008/Salisbury: Bruce Williamson
- 2006/Stoke: Graham Nalty
- 2003/Birmingham: Graham Nalty and Norman Bradbury
- 2017/Leeds: Angela Levitt-Harwood
Reading Borough Council (2 events)
:
- 2018/Reading: Cllr Tony Page
- 2006/Reading: Ruth Leuillette
RSSB
:
- 2020/Webinar: Ali Chegini
- 2018/Edinburgh: Alex Hynes
- 2016/Scottish Borders: Cllr David Parker
- 2016/Scottish Borders: Representative
Severnside Community Rail Partnership:
- 2010/Taunton: Keith Walton
- 2006/Stoke: Carl Henderson
Skipton East Lancs Railway Action Partnership:
- 2007/Ely: Andy Shackleton
SLC Rail :
- 2018/Reading: Ian Walters
- 2022/Webinar: Steve White
South East Northumberland Rail User Group (2 events) :
- 2025/Newcastle: Dennis Fancett
- 2013/Durham: Dennis Fancett
- 2008/Salisbury: Philip Dominey
- 2016/Scottish Borders: Jane Ann Liston
- 1996/Bicester: Jim Steer
Sussex Community Rail Partnership:
- 2011/Brighton: Sam Bryant
- 2013/Taunton: John Burch
Thameslink and Great Northern
:
- 2017/Peterborough: Phil Hutchinson
- 2017/Leeds: Graham Meiklejohn
- 2008/London: Prof. Lewis Lesley
- 2007/Glasgow: Paul Tetlaw
Transport Focus (2 events) :
- 2020/Webinar: Linda McCord
- 2017/Leeds: Jordan Sargeant
- 2007/Ely: Dave Wetzel
Transport for London (Crossrail)
:
- 2018/Reading: Howard Smith
- 2019/Cardiff: Colin Lea
Transport Salaried Staffs' Association
:
- 2006/Stoke: Manuel Cortes
- 2009/Corby: Steve Abbott
- 2017/Leicester: Mark Winter
- 2023/Leeds: Dr Manuel Ojeda Cabral
- 2005/Barry: Cllr Michael Harvey, Emma Harvey
- 2002/London: Chris Green
- 2015/Newark: David Horne
- 2016/Birmingham: Alice Gillman
- 2010/Wrexham: Tim James
- 2009/Northallerton: Tony Smare
Wensleydale Railway (2 events) :
- 2009/Northallerton: Ruth Annison
- 2006/Stoke: Ruth Annison
West of England Local Enterprise Partnership :
- 2015/Bristol: James White
West Midlands Rail Executive (2 events) :
- 2021/Birmingham: Malcolm Holmes
- 2020/Webinar: Peter Sargant
- 2019/Bristol: Jon Harris
Other organisations are: ASLEF, Adtranz, Borders Rail Campaign, British Rail, British Rail Engineering Ltd, Calderdale Council, Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee, Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, East London Line Group, First Great Eastern, First Group, Former BR Operations Manager now transport advisor to Newark Business Club, Great Western Trains, HMRI, Halcrow Transmark, Huddersfield Penistone Sheffield Rail Users Association, Imperial College, London, Leeds-Lancaster-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (LLMCRP), London Lines, MP for Milton Keynes South, Parliamentary Transport Select Committee member, Melksham rail campaign, NUR, National Assembly, North West Public Transport Users' Forum, North West Rail Campaign, Piggyback Consortium, RDS, Rail Passenger Council, Rail Passengers Council, Railfuture (and former Managing Director of TfL London Rail), Railfuture Devon and Cornwall, Railfuture Directors, Railfuture President, Railfuture Scotland, Railtrack, Railtrack Property, Railway Forum, Railway Gazette International, Redland Aggregates, SRA, Save Our Sleeper, Shadow SRA, South East England Regional Assembly, South West Public Transport Users' Forum, Stagecoach Rail, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, TUCC, Taith, Tees Valley Combined Authority, TfL London Rail, Tramlink, Trans Wilts, Transport 2000, Transport Wales, TravelWatch SouthWest, Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, University of Birmingham, WAGN, Wales Transport Research Centre, Wales and West Railway, Welcome to Yorkshire, Wensleydale Rail Association and West Midlands Combined Authority
Past events for each year
Up to three national events are held each year. Click on the location to see the details.
There are 12 events above where we do not know the date it was held. Can you help us fill in the dates? Email: info at railfuture.org.uk
The events without dates are: 2001/Poole, 1995/London, 1994/Clitheroe, 1994/Lincoln, 1993/Maesteg, 1990/Manchester, 1989/London, 1988/Leicester, 1985/London, 1983/London, 1983/Crewe, 1981/London.
Click HERE to see a full list of past events. Looking for something else? Check the LIBRARY