Rail Live returns to Porterbrook’s Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre next week (June 18-19), and the UK’s largest outdoor rail exhibition will once again be packed with fantastic exhibits and demonstrations.
After parking and heading through the main entrance to the site, visitors will be greeted by a classic steam engine that’s being brought to the site by heavy haulage specialist Allelys.
From there, you’ll see numerous exhibitors as you pass through Zone ABC, which will culminate in a temporary access platform and scaffolding structure built by Alto Access Products.
Alto will have built the structure over a Class 323, which you can see on the right, just before you reach the level crossing.
At the level crossing, Porterbrook will have its HydroFLEX demonstrator on display, which will be sporting a new livery to mark this year’s Railway 200 celebrations.
First-come-first-served tours of the HydroFLEX train will also be available during Rail Live, while all visitors can take part in an interactive activity to learn about hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Another Porterbrook attraction will be the virtual driver’s cab, to see what it will be like to drive on Long Marston’s continuous 3.5km (two-mile) electrified test loop which is currently under construction.
Nearby, Rail Operations Group will showcase one of its Class 93 tri-mode locomotives, the first of which is about to undergo loaded trials on the West Coast Main Line.
After the level crossing comes Zone E, where Pandrol and Gold Schmidt will both be conducting hot-welding demonstrations.
If you need assistance, you can also find the help desk near the Pandrol stand, while a new indoor cafe is on the right, complementing the business lounge. With free WiFi and desks, it’s the ideal spot if you need to do some work while on-site.
Moving into Zone F, Lingmag will be present, while Siemens’ Rail Charging Converter, recently installed at Long Marston, will also be visible.
QTS will also have a climbing wall, on which visitors can have a go with the aid of a qualified instructor.
In Zone G you will find VP, Rail Live’s largest exhibitor. This is the halfway point of the journey through Rail Live, so helpfully there will be a drinking water station next to VP’s stand.
Also in Zone G, you can find Laing O’Rourke’s stone-cutting robot, which is being displayed at Rail Live for the first time.
Further on is Zone J, where Rail Ability will be carrying out on-track demonstrations to showcase its ballast undercutting road-rail vehicles. Racine Railroad will also be nearby, providing demonstrations involving track panels.
Network Rail’s On-Track Village will contain its maintenance train and several road-rail vehicles, while over the sidings towards Zones M and W, Ultrabeam Hydrographics’Robotic Amphibious Vehicle will be on display.
Zone M is also home to the Sustainability Zone, brought to you by Network Rail and British Steel.
The RIA (Railway Industry Association) Innovation Lounge, which will be hosting a Mongolian delegation on day one, is also in this location, while adjacent to Zone M is the signalling zone.
Network Rail’s off-track village can also be found in this part o the site, while Zone W will include a demonstration of SPL Powerlines’ equipment.
The HS2 stand will also be in Zone W, along with King Group’s live action arena.
Finally, Zone W is also home to Rail Forum and the Safety Theatre, a new addition for 2025 with Rail Live supporting Rail Safety Week.
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