Rail sector in the spotlight at festival events

The region's rail industry will be in the spotlight at two events taking place in Warwickshire - at Nuneaton and Long Marston, near Stratford upon Avon - during November.

On Wednesday November 21, The Quinton Rail Technology Centre, Long Marston, will be the venue for the Coventry & Warwickshire Rail Innovation Showcase (9.30-11.30am). This event will showcase the QRTC site and facilities while delegates will be able to hear from local universities and technology companies about their work in rail.

The University of Warwick WMG will be there to talk about their work in Very Light Rail (VLR) and the University of Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education (BCRRE) will showcase their work with hydrogen propulsion in rail.  Rail technology company Vivarail will also be present to talk about their work in battery rail propulsion.

Then on Thursday November 29th the "Supply Train - Get On Track" event (7.30-9.30am) at Eliot Park Innovation Centre, Nuneaton, is targeted at businesses interested in getting into the rail supply chain and accessing rail-related opportunities. Full information and guidance will be given about the business support available for companies looking at moving into this area for the first time and also those which are already active but interested in finding out more.

Both events will include speakers from University of Birmingham on their work to support the rail supply chain and the event is also supported by the Rail Industry Association (RIA), the Rail Alliance and Rail Forum Midlands.

Warwickshire County Council Inward Investment Manager Ian Flynn said: "These two events will highlight the key role of this region in the fast-evolving rail industry.

"This is a time of great change in rail technology and crossover technology from the auto sector and digital and the Midlands is at the forefront of many of these technologies, including Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Low Carbon Vehicles, mobility as a service and modern mass transport systems.

"Quinton Rail Technology Centre is a key site for the demonstration of digital, hydrogen and battery technology and we look forward to welcoming businesses there on November 21st.

"The conference facility at Eliot Park Innovation Centre in Nuneaton will then host our event on November 29th focusing on
access to business support for rail."

Both events are hosted in partnership with Warwickshire County Council as part of the 2018 Coventry & Warwickshire Business Festival.
To book places at the events please visit:

Rail Innovation Showcase: https://cwbf2018.ticketleap.com/rail-innovation-showcase-in-coventry--warwickshire/

Get on Track – Rail Supply Chain: https://cwbf2018.ticketleap.com/get-on-track-rail-supply-chain/

** image courtesy of Rail Alliance