Infrarail 2010

13.04.2010 — 15.04.2010

8th International Railway Infrastructure exhibition

UK, NEC Birmingham

Exhibitors prepare for INFRARAIL 2010

Suppliers of rail infrastructure products and services are making final preparations for the Infrarail 2010 exhibition, which takes place from 13 to 15 April at the UK’s National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

A well established fixture in the industry’s calendar in Britain, this will be the eighth in a long-running series of events organised by Mack Brooks Exhibitions that provides a focus for the latest technologies in track, signalling, electrification and all other aspects of the rail infrastructure market.

Infrarail 2010 comes at a time when significant investments are in progress or planned for the rail network in Britain. Work has already started on London’s GBP15.9 billion Crossrail project, building a new high-capacity cross-city heavy rail line that is due to open in 2017. Also underway in the capital is the GBP5.5 billion Thameslink Programme to deliver a major boost in capacity on the existing north-south heavy rail network through London. That is scheduled for completion in 2015.

Spending by national rail infrastructure authority Network Rail has been set at GBP28.5 billion over the five years from April 2009, with GBP7.6 billion of this destined for capacity enhancement schemes. In addition, in 2009 government approval was given for a rolling programme of main line electrification, with the first phases costed at GBP1.1 billion. Further electrification schemes are expected.

Also on the agenda is the possible construction of new high-speed lines both to enable rail to compete with air for domestic journeys and to relieve capacity pressures on parts of the existing network. Government recommendations on routes and funding options for these new lines are to be published shortly.

These developments set an upbeat mood for Infrarail 2010, which by mid-February had attracted more than 180 exhibitors. Many will be taking part in the event for the first time, joining more established companies to bring new ideas and technologies to the market. As well as UK companies, exhibitors include many foreign firms seeking opportunities in this busy market.

Among leading industry bodies to endorse Infrarail 2010 is the Railway Industry Association, which represents 140 UK-based members of the supply industry. Also supporting the event are the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers, the Permanent Way Institution, the Rail Freight Group and the Rail Alliance suppliers’ networking organisation.

Activities taking place alongside Infrarail 2010 include The Platform, an open forum providing show visitors and participants with an opportunity to join in discussions with key industry figures on current and future aspects of rail infrastructure development. Staged in the exhibition hall, The Platform will run over all three days of the show, with a different theme to each session. Access will be free of charge.

A seminar theatre in the exhibition hall will also be the setting for a programme of drop-in technical seminars devised by the Infrarail team and the Rail Engineer magazine. And further adding to the extensive programme of events will be a high-level rail infrastructure conference organised by Railway Gazette International. Entitled ‘Building Tomorrow’s Railway’ and featuring leading speakers from across the European rail industry.

The venue for Infarail is again the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham. Transport links to the site are excellent. Virgin Trains offers a high-frequency service from London Euston using its Pendolino tilting trainsets. Birmingham International Airport is also adjacent to the NEC and the venue sits within a major hub of the national motorway network.

Entry to Infrarail 2010 is free for pre-registered visitors. For non-registered visitors a fee of GBP15 is payable on the door. Pre-registration is easy – just go to the Infrarail website – http://www.infrarail.com/rzdweb – and follow the onscreen link. As well as avoiding an entrance fee, pre-registering speeds up access to the show.
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