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RailEI Technical Seminars
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RailEI Technical Seminars are a fantastic opportunity to join hundreds of likeminded professionals from across the rail industry to hear from experts on the hottest topics. With the support of our Sponsors and Exhibitors, delegates get the chance to hear about the latest insights, opinions, innovations, products and services in one place. Talks are typically followed by Q&As with expert panels, and break-out sessions provide a dynamic space for networking with new and familiar faces over refreshments (when in-person). We hold several events throughout the year based on themes governed by the industry’s most current matters. Read on to find out what Technical Seminars are upcoming this year and how to book.
ELECTRIFICATION: Investment, Maintenance, Renewals, Research
Hilton, Liverpool
10 September
2026
The North West provides a wonderful setting for the Railway Engineering Institution to explore a selection of key themes in Rail Electrification; the region is currently undergoing a renaissance in terms of the development of Integrated Transport Strategies and so has much to offer RailEI members and supporters.
RAILWAYS IN IRELAND: Building Resilience in Railway Systems and Infrastructure
The Arts Building: Burke Theatre, Trinity College Dublin
29 October 2026
RailEI held its first full day technical seminar in Ireland in May 2024 which was a resounding success.
We are therefore planning a return visit and our next Seminar will take place in Dublin in October 2026.
Whilst the ambition for rail across the island of Ireland remains buoyant, the need for resiliency within all aspects of the current system is paramount. This Seminar will examine resiliency across all aspects of the operational railway
TRACK RENEWALS: Balancing Cost, Risk and Value
London South Bank University
18 November 2026
In November 2025, the Railway Engineering Institution held a Technical Seminar at the University of Birmingham focused on the affordability of Track Renewals. Later this year, we will be running a similarly themed Seminar looking at the progress that has been made in terms of reducing cost, increasing efficiency and embedding innovation whilst maintaining safety and quality.
Major Projects and Programmes: Multidisciplinary Challenges and Engineering Judgement
Whitworth Hall, University of Manchester
23 February 2027
Major Projects and Programmes : multi-disciplinary challenges and engineering judgement explores how large scale rail developments bring together civil, electrical, signalling, operations and environmental teams under one programme. The seminar examines the competing pressures that arise when technical requirements, budget constraints, safety standards and stakeholder demands pull in different directions.
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What else is on?
Check out all of our upcoming events and activities on our events calendar.
Important things you should know
Absolutely! We are very happy to liaise with your colleagues regarding your booking and can raise an invoice for payment. Please contact our Membership Team at secretary@railei.org
Please email secretary@railei.org with the names and email addresses of all the delegates you would like to book on to an event. We will check whether or not they are RailEI members to ensure you are charged the right amount. All the individuals will be registered to attend, and we will send you an invoice ready for payment.
Approximately two weeks before the event, we will send you an email with the joining instructions confirming timings, the agenda, location and arrangements for the day. We don’t issue tickets, but your name will be on our registration list and your name badge will be waiting at the welcome desk.
Unfortunately, this isn’t something we can provide, but many of the venues we use have accommodation on site or in the local vicinity. Visit the venue’s website for full details.
Smart, casual is the usual advice, although many do wear business attire. These events provide excellent networking opportunities with colleagues and peers, so our advice is dress to impress!
Yes, approximately two weeks after the event, the presentations that are given at the seminar will be made available to attendees. They will then be placed in our Knowledge Hub where RailEI members will be able to download them at any time.
Our technical seminars provide excellent opportunities to raise awareness of your company, through promotion in the lead up to the event and via your exhibition stand on the day. Spaces are limited and are always in high demand, so if you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at an event please contact events@railei.org as soon as possible.
Yes, we always include time for Q&A and the feedback we receive often cites these sessions as the most insightful and beneficial part. Delegates will have the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the speaker and we encourage a broad range of queries, from the most straightforward to the really complex issues.
Absolutely! Let us know any dietary requirements when you book, or simply drop us an email at secretary@railei.org and we will ensure the venue are notified.
All our seminars are held at professional venues that aim to cater for every circumstance. Please drop us an email with your individual requirements and we will liaise with the venue and yourself to ensure that, as far as possible, your needs are met.
In the unlikely event that a seminar is cancelled, we will contact you as soon as possible and give you the option to either transfer your booking to an alternative event or receive a full refund.
We’ll really miss having you there, but you will still receive a link to the presentations. You are welcome to give your place away to a colleague and we can make them a name badge on the day. Unfortunately, we can’t provide a refund unless you notify us at least three weeks before the event. For full details, please see our Terms and Conditions.
What other seminars have we held?
Seminar catalogue
Below is a useful list of every Technical Seminar that we’ve held dating back to 2013. You can use this list as a reference to help you search our Knowledge Hub for content you may have seen in the past, or missed and wish to access. All Technical Seminar presentation slides, videos and Journal article write-ups can be found in our Knowledge Hub.
14 May 2026 – Light Rail: Making City Rail Travel More Sustainable
10 September 2026 – Electrification: Investment, Maintenance, Renewals, Research
29 October 2026 – Railways in Ireland: Building Resilience in Railway Systems and Infrastructure
18 November 2026 – Track Renewals: Balancing Cost, Risk and Value
3 March 2022 – Climate Emergency & Decarbonisation: The railway’s response (Manchester)
21 April 2022 – Electrification: Delivering the business case (Glasgow)
26 May 2022 – Tomorrow’s rail safety today (Austin Court, Birmingham & Virtual)
10 November 2022 – Sustainable infrastructure: Design & maintenance (Bristol)
6th March 2019 – Innovation & research in rail (Manchester)
24th April 2019 – Electrification & Pway developments (Derby)
22 May 2019 – Understanding asset life: How can we improve? (London)
9 July 2019 – Network Rail summer track engineering conference (London)
11 December 2019 – Network Rail winter track engineering conference (London)
1 March 2018 – North West Technical Seminar – From S&C to X&Y
25 April 2018 – Railway Junctions: The electrification challenges
1 – 3 May 2018 – Infrarail
23 May 2018 – The four seasons of maintenance
5 July 2018 – Network Rail summer track engineering conference (London)
16 October 2018 – Urban railway: Infrastructure engineering (Manchester)
21 November 2018 – Network Rail winter track engineering conference (London)
2 March 2017 – North West Technical Seminar – Northern Hub and Beyond
9 – 11 May 2017 -RailTex
24 May 2017 – London Technical Seminar – Rails: On our Mettle
29 June 2017 – Network Rail Summer Track Engineering Conference
19 October 2017 – High Speed Rail Lines: The Technical Challenges
1 November & 29 November 2017 – London Underground – Developments and progress on track renewals on London Underground
22 November 2017 – Network Rail Winter Track Engineering Conference
25 February 2016 – North West Technical Seminar – Modernising the Railway Network
25 May 2016 – London Technical Seminar – On Track for Tomorrow Seminar
30 June 2016 – Network Rail Summer Track Engineering Conference
11 October 2016 – PWI & UEEIV Fixed Track Forms for High Speed Lines
18 October 2016 – PWI Annual Celebration Event
20 October & 11 November 2016 – London Underground – Progress on Rail Management Strategy & Improving the Wheel Rail Interface
29 November 2016 – Network Rail Winter Track Engineering Conference
5 March 2015 – North West Technical Seminar – S&C Maintenance, Reliability & Life Extension
20 May 2015 – London Half Day Seminar – Ballast & Beyond
25 June 2015 – Network Rail Summer Track Engineering Conference – Innovative approaches to the track engineering life cycle Seminar
10 September 2015 – Nottingham & Derby Section – Managing Track Formation, Earthworks & Drainage Seminar
21 October & 5 November 2015 – London Underground – Managing Track in the Digital Environment Seminar
8 December 2015 – Network Rail Winter Track Engineering Conference
27 February 2014 – North West Technical Seminar – S&C Componentry Manufacture & Installation
14 May 2014 – London Half Day Seminar – Practical Approach to Track Renewals
17 July 2014 – Network Rail Summer Track Engineering Conference
13 & 27 November 2014 – London Underground – Practical Control of Risk within S&C
17 December 2014 – Network Rail Winter Track Engineering Conference
27 February 2013 – North West Technical Seminar – S&C Design & Specification
15 May 2013 – London Half Day Seminar – Practical Surveying & Gauging