North East rail network in focus at conference

The North East’s rail network will come under the microscope during an event focused upon the future of the sector.

A number of public transport specialists will meet at Darlington’s Dolphin Centre for the Rebirth of the Railway conference.

Organised by Railfuture, the independent and voluntary organisation campaigning for a bigger and better rail network, the event will feature speakers from Newton Aycliffe-based train manufacturer Hitachi Rail and Tyne and Wear Metro.

Representatives from Port of Sunderland and Tees Valley Combined Authority will also be present, as will a columnist from Modern Railways magazine.

Subjects on the agenda will include Hitachi’s work on new rolling stock, the Metro’s expansion and modernisation, developments in rail freight, the challenges of running a modern rural railway and an overview of railway operations in the Tees Valley.

Keith Simpson, chair of Railfuture’s North East branch, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this national conference here in the North East.

“Although the conference will cover new developments happening on the railway both within our region and further afield, what better place to celebrate the notion of re-birth than Darlington, where the railways first began?”

The paid-for event takes place on Saturday, June 22 from 11am and is open to members of the public.

Anyone wishing to attend must pre-book their place at www.railfuture.org.uk/conferences/#book