RailEI Technical Seminar
Light Rail: Making City Rail Travel More Sustainable
Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
14 May
2026
Members £97
Non-members £177
Students £20
The government recognised the importance of city transport when it published its 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy in June 2025. This included a £15.6 billion investment for transport systems, including Light Rail. This mode helps to create local jobs, attract businesses, and make it easier for people to get to work, school, shops and night life.
Skills, knowledge, and expertise from our Engineering community are critical in ensuring the design, build, operate and maintenance success of Light Rail projects.
In this seminar you will learn from major stakeholders as they describe the ambitious goals and future direction for Light Rail, with insights into ongoing projects, sector challenges, and the latest academic research supporting innovation and improvement.
People working within our industry keen to keep abreast of current practices and topical issues within the sector will find this Seminar meets their needs.
This seminar contributes to CPD. Book now to advance your knowledge and understanding of the ambition within the Light Rail sector.
This Seminar will include opportunities for delegate interaction and participation, offering facilitated discussions and Q&As.
Ready to be part of the conversation? Book now to advance your knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing track renewals.
Speakers
08:30 – 09:15 Registration and networking with exhibitors
09:15 – 09:30 Chair’s Welcome Ben Brooks: Portfolio Delivery Director NR & RailEI VP North East England
09:30 – 09:55 West Yorkshire Mass Transit: Making the case for transport investment in West Yorkshire John Reed: Senior Responsible Officer for Mass Transit, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
09:55 – 10:20 UK TRAM – Update James Hammett: Managing Director UK Tram
10:20 – 10:40 Light Rail from the perspective of ORR Richard Hines: HM Chief Inspector of Railways, ORR
10:40 – 10.55 Q&A / 10.55 – 11:20 Break
11:20 – 11:40 Delivering Metro to Washington Tom Hardwick: Head of System Development NEXUS
11:40 – 12:00 Magna Station Clare Finlinson: Engineering Manager AMCOGiffen and John Bilcliffe: Regional Engineering Manager, AMCOGiffen
12:00 – 12:20 Mind the Gap… and the Curve, and the Gradient: Infrastructure Essentials for Trams Hans Cruse: Light Rail and Sustainable Transportation Expert, STADLER
12:20 – 12:40 Coventry Very Light Rail Dr Christopher Micallef: Track Systems Programme Lead, Coventry VLR
12.40 – 12.55 Q&A / 12:55 – 13.45 Lunch & Exhibition
13:45 – 13:50 Chair’s Welcome Marilena Papadopoulou, Head of Projects & Renewals Edinburgh Tram
13:50 – 14:10 Tramway Vehicle/Infrastructure Interfaces Rob Carroll: Principal Engineer, Mott McDonald & Chris Tindall: Technical Principal, Mott McDonald
14:10 – 14:30 Huddersfield University – Centric & Tram-Train Best Practice Guide David Crosbee: Principal Industrial Fellow University of Huddersfield & Paul Allen: Prof of Railway Eng and Technology, University of Huddersfield
14:30 – 14:45 Comfort Break
14:45 – 15:10 Challenges With Metro & Light Rail Electrification João Pombo: Professor of Railway Technology, University of Huddersfield
15:10 – 15:30 Q&A
15:30 – 15.40 Closing Comments Ben Brooks, Portfolio Delivery Director NR & RailEI VP North East England
Principal Sponsor
Since entering the construction market in 1935 VolkerRail has become one of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary railway infrastructure contractors, with over 70 years experience in both the heavy and light rail infrastructure sectors. VolkerRail has a successful track record of delivering projects on the UK’s national rail network, working with Network Rail and London Underground, as well as most of the light rail and tram organisations in the UK.
Major Sponsor
Story Contracting is a privately-owned, award-winning infrastructure company who provide rail, plant and construction solutions for a wide range of public, private and third sector clients. The company’s track record for delivering projects on time and to budget, safely and reliably, has meant repeat business from clients, which is reflected in Story’s motto of ‘Do It Right!’.
Sponsor
Company Links
Stadler has been building trains for over 80 years. The provider of mobility solutions in rail vehicle construction, service and signalling technology has its headquarters in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. Around 18,000 employees work at 8 production and 6 engineering sites and over 80 service locations. Stadler is the world’s leading manufacturer of rolling stock with alternative drive systems (hydrogen and battery) and rack railway vehicles. The company is aware of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products.
Company Links
At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow – delivering outcomes and solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of almost 43,000, we provide end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities & places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water.
Company Links
Exhibitors
What else is on?
Check out all of our upcoming events and activities on our events calendar.