Hi there, any word on which companies will (or more will not) be attending Rail Live this year? Hoping there's still going to be plenty to view!

If you go to Rail Live website, and click on exhibitors, there are 276 in total. The usual suspects are there such as Bance, Coombes, Explore, Fitzgerald, GOS, KGJ Price, Pandrol, Permaquip & Aqaurius, Pro Rail, Progress Rail, QTS, Racine, RPS, Readypower, Super Rod / OOTD and Trackwork. What's notably missing is AP Webb, Geismar, Hargreaves, Chieftain and Predator Trailers, but that's not to say there won't be an example by one of the exhibitors. Also due on site is a new Class 99 loco, Heavy Haul 66537, a Railgrinder, the Romic HST, Positive Traction 08e, the Webb Undercutter & Trencher, etc. Hope that makes you look forward to the day.

Cheers guys! It's a shame I don't see Quattro, Story, SPL, PodTrak, Van Elle on the list.. but yes still much to look forward to I guess

Explore Rail RTP004 shows ZZ709 0096464-6 on left hand side as viewed from tow bar, not 99709 009464 7

My 6th year of attending and a far cry from the awe of my first initial visits.. I was done in just over an hour! The weakest turnout for companies to show off their plant at this great show, a one off arena yearly to see and compare equipment.. which now, imo is starting to make me think, is it worth the trek? The £42 train fare from Derby is starting to weigh a little heavy now. Anyone else feel the same? Disappointing really as I think the event is fantastic, but now seems to be snubbed by many a company..

AP Webb??

Land Recovery??

Quattro??

Story??

PodTrak??

SPL Powerlines??

Van Elle??

AJ Hargreaves??

McCulloch??

Fitzgerald??

Atkinson Vos??

Elmec Solutions??

Personally I thought it was pretty good, nice to see further innovation e.g. Crab steering on an RRV.

Lots of other interesting bits about the wider rail industry, caught up with a couple of friends I haven't seen in ages, and it was dry. :)

With regards to sightings, I used the exhibition report to submit mine. I notice it added a sighting for TOWD13, but TOWD16 seems to be reported now. I didn't write down anything for that trailer. Do I need to delete the sighting for 13 and add one for 16 please?

Regards

Chris

I also thought it was very good and seems to offer something different each time. It may depend on just what you're interested in but given that it was also supported by GBRf who sent one of their newest locomotives and Heavy Haul Rail, it wasn't just plant suppliers who were there. You had the Rail 200 exhibition train to look around if you wished and also could have a free ride of two loops around the test track, courtesy of Porterbrook. I don't think it realistic to expect every plant suppler to be there every year and it surprises me that so many do attend given that they are pretty much in a monopsony situation with Network Rail being the only major buyer of services from most of these companies who must be paying a hefty sum to be there...a sum that I expect pays for the admin staff, stewards, marquees, barriers and free bus trips to and from Honeybourne and Stratford Parkway etc.

AP Webb, Quattro and SPL were there and I found it interesting that RPS were there with three machines that had all been at Fitzgerald's recently.

I'm only intending this reply to present an alternative view point.

All the best

Andrew

I have been to every Rail Live since 2014 and always find it very interesting & informative but I must agree that the number of exhibitors has decreased substantially

over the last few years which must be of some concern to the organisers. As I understand Quattro were not there as a company only there were two new TRT versions on the GOS stand who were publicising their new wares. It is worth remembering that this is a Trade show not an enthusiasts gala. We are lucky to be able to attend free.

I must say that Porterbrook are doing a good job of developing the site since they bought it.

On the Unipart stand there were 2 tracked rail lifters not too disimilar to the Quattro owned GOS tracked rail lifters. These were plated RT23-04-001 and 002 with a build date of 2025. I can provide an image of one of the machines if necessary. I would be interested to hear why these havent been reported by anyone whilst the 2 Quattro machines have as they appear to have a modus operandi

The Unipart vehicles were also at the 2025 show. Speaking to the staff, they were expecting NR approval later this year

Thanks for the help Vince :)

I don't think I have any photos of the plate from previous years unfortunately.

Best regards

Chris