Delivering Rail Decarbonisation and Rolling Stock Needs 2026  |  11 February – Addleshaw Goddard, London

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Registration and refreshments
08:45  to  09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30  to  09:40
Speaker:
Ryan Bown. Principal Consultants. IPEX Consulting.
Panel discussion: How to move from the business case for decarbonisation to delivery – bridging the gap to make low-carbon rail a reality
09:40  to  10:25
  • Ensuring that rail decarbonisation is financially viable – what are the returns from a low-carbon rail system?
  • Navigating rising costs and financial barriers to meeting the rail sector’s net zero targets
  • Innovations and low carbon technologies for delivering green rail infrastructure
  • What more support is needed to drive the net zero transition?
Speakers:
Kathryn Oldale. Head of Commercial Development. DB Cargo.
Paul Hirst. Partner, Global Infrastructure and Head of Transport. Addleshaw Goddard.
Understanding what electrification is needed to deliver a net-zero railway by 2050 – progress to date and future plans
10:25  to  10:50
  • Where and how will electrification be delivered? Setting a clear roadmap
  • What intensively-used passenger and freight routes are being electrified first?
  • Best approaches to reducing the costs of electrification
  • Learning from successful electrification projects
Speaker:
Sanchay Singhal. Practice Manager OLE. AtkinsRéalis.
Morning networking and refreshments
10:50  to  11:20
Beyond electrification – developing rail infrastructure that can support decarbonisation and new requirements, how is the network evolving?
11:20  to  11:45
  • What is the impact of decarbonisation and new green technologies on rail infrastructure?
  • What upgrades and new assets are essential to deliver reliable charging?
  • Aligning infrastructure with the wider energy network to ensuring whole system integration
Speaker:
Steven Hart. Associate Director – Rail Strategy & Feasibility – Rail Advisory UK. WSP.
Panel Discussion: Current and future rolling stock requirements – is the sector ready for decarbonisation and wider rolling stock needs?
11:45  to  12:30
  • Understanding the current rolling stock landscape
  • How are net zero targets shaping design and procurement?
  • Establishing a more sustainable supply chain to meet future rolling stock needs
  • Can the sector fulfil its decarbonisation ambitions? What is achievable and what are the future barriers?
Speakers:
Professor Stuart Hillmansen. Professor of Railway Traction Systems. University of Birmingham.
Andy Bagguley. Fleet Services Director. Porterbrook.
Adam Timewell. Head of Programmes. Rail North Partnership.
Networking Lunch
12:30  to  13:30
Battery traction highlights: GWR world record and lessons learnt
13:30  to  13:55
  • Why break a record: key drivers behind the record attempt
  • Technology used: the science and logic used
  • Methodology: practicalities of making it happen
Speaker:
Julian Fletcher. Technology Development Manager ( Fast Charge Battery Train Trial). GWR.
The latest insight on alternative traction systems and new technologies that are decarbonising railway operations
13:55  to  14:20
  • What options are emerging beyond electrification? The use of hydrogen, biofuels and hybrid fleets as a realistic option
  • What will future rolling stock look like?
  • Transitioning from trials to full-scale implementation – what are the barriers to deployment?
Speaker:
Paul Long. Head of T&RS Engineering. Heavy Haul Rail.
Upgrading existing rolling stock to improve sustainability and asset durability
14:20  to  14:45
  • Practical steps for optimising fleet’s energy performance – what are the options?
  • Integrating sustainable solutions into aging trains to reduce environmental impacts
  • Enhancing rolling stock’s resilience through innovative low-carbon technologies
Speaker:
James Wright. Product Manager - Decarbonisation. Angel Trains.
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:45  to  15:15
Best strategies for low-carbon construction – reducing embodied carbon when building rail assets
15:15  to  15:40
  • How can the construction process be adapted to deliver net zero infrastructure?
  • Selecting the most effective low-carbon materials
  • Minimising waste during development by reusing and recycling materials
  • Leveraging design efficiency to cut carbon emissions
Speaker:
Helene Berthonneau. Lead Environmental Sustainability Manager. Skanska.
Lessons from abroad: International approaches to achieving rail decarbonisation
15:40  to  16:05
  • What are others doing differently to lower carbon emissions?
  • Examples of supportive policy frameworks that can accelerate change
  • What can be applied to the UK market now?
Speaker:
Malini Bose. Director - Future Mobility and Infrastructure. KMPG.
Chair’s closing remark
16:05  to  16:15
Close of conference and networking drinks
16:15  to  17:30

*All sessions include time for Q & A* 

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