The first National Track Plant Exhibition, “The Track Innovation Showcase”, is to be held on 24 and 25 July 2013 at the Rail Alliance site at Long Marston Business Park near Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire.
The free to attend event is sponsored by Steve Featherstone at Network Rail, programme director – track, and is being organised by Infrastructure Projects track innovation team in response to suppliers’ requests to show off their capabilities.
Steve Featherstone said: “We are looking forward to meeting our suppliers and seeing some great practical innovation that will allow us to be more productive, use less track access and hand back reliably at higher line speeds.”
Live demonstrations over the two days will include:
- A rail and road connected exhibition area demonstrating track delivery methods and plant;
- A full eight-hour live track renewal by Babcock Rail;
- First hand innovative track construction methods;
- Face to face networking across the track delivery supply base;
- Showcase of UK Innovation;
- Network Rail track inspection vehicle
- Practical demonstrations of equipment;
- Network Rail’s helicopter with its high definition cameras.
The exhibition area will be in zoned areas offering on-track plant, on-track machines, welfare, surveying, lighting and the practical Hands On test zone where visitors will be able to try using small plant, tools and equipment for themselves.
What will be on show?
Over 60 of the industry’s main plant suppliers have already confirmed their attendance. The major contractors will be showing off what they can do with Amey, Colas, Babcock, Balfour Beatty Rail and Carillion all committed.
There will be smaller plant from the likes of Geismar, GOS Engineering, SRS and Aquarius, surveying equipment from Topcon, generators from Aggreko, small tools from Torrent Trackside, Hilti and Clayton Equipment.
There will even be the public launch of Pandrol’s new VIPA-VALIANT track baseplate.
[pullquote align=”left”]Suppliers are keen to show off their latest innovations in action on a real bit of railway, and there is no other show that allows this.[/pullquote]
The Long Marston Rail Alliance storage depot is just south of Stratford-upon-Avon. Honeybourne, Stratford-upon-Avon & Warwick Parkway are the nearest stations.
Formerly a Ministry of Defence storage depot, it is now used by railway operators and leasing companies for short and medium term storage of redundant rolling stock. So there is plenty of track for storage, and plenty of track and space to show off railway plant to its best effect.
Uma Shanker, head of business improvement and engineering for the IP track programme, said “We started off with our test site at Grange near Stoke and then moved to Gloucester as the demand grew. We have had to move again as the demand outgrew the space.
“Suppliers are keen to show off their latest innovations in action on a real bit of railway, and there is no other show that allows this. We are also not charging exhibitors for the space, rather working with them in partnership to put on a great show. I am grateful to the Rail Alliance and Rail Media for helping us out.”
The site is easily accessible by road, it is 20 minutes from the M40 and 40 minutes from the M5. Just put CV37 8QR into your favourite map site.
Invitation to the National Track Plant Exhibition has been extended to all rail professionals interested in track delivery, including Network Rail Track Delivery personnel and its suppliers. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with the new ‘On Track Plant specialists.
As there will be live demonstrations, all exhibitors and visitors are required to attend in PPE. Admittance to the exhibition will not be allowed without boots, high-viz trousers and jackets/vests….so don’t forget them!
To book a free ticket visit the website.
[googlemap address=”CV37 8QR” maptype=”HYBRID” zoom=”10″ width=”425″ height=”350″ marker=”true” scrollwheel=”true” longitude=”” latitude=””][/googlemap]
