RIA celebrates 150 years in the industry

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) celebrated its 150th anniversary on July 10 with a ‘RIA 150 celebration’ in London.

Over 600 guests attended the event, which was hosted alongside Railway 200, itself marking a historic landmark in the development of the UK railway industry.

RIA began life as the Locomotive Manufacturers Association in 1875, forming to protect private manufacturers in a rapidly changing environment. This ethos still exists, according to David Clarke, RIA’s head of strategy, who was speaking to RAIL alongside its Chief Executive Officer, Darren Caplan, ahead of the event.

“From the very beginning, our goals have always been to speak truth to power. To keep the industry in the thinking of the powers-that-be. Be that critical friend.”

Caplan adds: “That should always be the case. Our remit and overarching goal should always be to represent our industry in front of the people who make decisions.”

As Clarke points out, the association has seen many changes to the industry since its inception.

“We’ve seen steam, the creation of the “big four” and the creation of British Railways, right through to the beginning of the privatised era, and now, to today.”

That journey has been wrapped up in a new book published by RIA that marks its 150-year existence. The book, titled Steam to Digital, it charts the associations beginnings, through to its present-day.

At the event, guests heard from RIA’s Chair, Noel Travers as well as special guests, Angie Doll, Chief Executive Officer at GTR, Andy Lord, Commissioner for Transport for London, and Justin Moss, Rail Director at Platinum Sponsor, Gleeds, who all paid tribute to the role that RIA has played in representing the industry.

The work that RIA does will continue, with several campaigns currently the focus for it.

“Our work doesn’t stop. We have plenty to still do, including our work on procurement and decarbonisation and reform all keeping us busy.

“And these are important campaigns” adds Caplan.

“We know by the work we are doing, and from the conversations we have, that we will continue to be at the forefront as the industry changes.”

In his speech at the event, Caplan added: “I would like to thank all our valued members, both past and present, as well as key stakeholders and rail professionals, for their ongoing support, and the fantastic RIA team which has worked so hard for the Association in all its incarnations over the years. Together, their contributions have allowed us to champion a dynamic UK rail supply sector for the last 150 years and we will continue to seek to do so in the decades to come.”