The screen you see behind is being used by train operators after they met with us at TransCityRail.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRANSCITYRAIL NORTH
NORTH 2026.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
05/11/2026
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
learn more about NORTH 2026
Levelling Up Rail. Connecting Communities. TransfoRM the North.
The North of England is central to the UK’s ambition to rebalance the economy and strengthen regional connectivity. With major programmes, evolving transport strategies, and the creation of Great British Railways set to reshape the landscape, TransCityRail North England arrives at a defining moment for the region’s rail network.
This year’s event will energise the debate around delivering faster, more reliable, and better-connected services across the North. It will explore how investment can be maximised, how regional priorities can be aligned with national strategy, and how a truly integrated railway can unlock economic growth and social mobility.
Delegates will gain essential insight into how GBR will support northern ambitions, how collaboration between public and private stakeholders can accelerate progress, and how upcoming reforms will shape the delivery of major rail projects and long-term transformation.
learn more about THE DAY
transcityrail north AGENDA.
08:00 – 09:15 Registration / Breakfast / Networking / Exhibition
Grab your name badge, breakfast and start your networking early.
09:25 – 09:27 Welcome Address
Welcome to the event. We'll be kicking off shortly.
09:27 – 09:37 Keynote - Rachel Thomas, Project Director, Transpennine Route Upgrade (invited)
09:37 – 10:02 Thought Leadership - Arup
A Systems Approach to Delivering Major Programmes
Efficiency and excellence are paramount when delivering projects; these qualities are vital, starting at the design phase and continuing through to programme delivery. With the establishment of SID that is set to deliver the Southern Region's up-to £9bn estimated renewals
portfolio over the next ten years, how can we ensure that complex problems are met with innovative and invaluable solutions? Bringing lessons and insights from the delivery of other major programmes, this panel session will focus on how the integration of infrastructure, operations, digital systems, and governance can result in more effective and reliable solutions, delivering better whole‑network out comes
10:04 – 10:19 Strategic Partner - Sevadis Smart EV
Strategic partner session. More details to follow.
10:21 – 10:31 Keynote - Charlie French, Principal Client - Integration and Strategy, North of England, Network Rail System Operator
10:33 – 11:48 Refreshments / Networking / Exhibition
Grab a coffee, mid morning snack and a fist full of business cards during the first networking opportunity of the day.
11:50 – 12:00 Keynote - Chris Nutton, Major Projects & TRU Director, TransPennine Express
12:02 – 12:27 Thought Leadership - SLC Rail
Speaker and content details coming soon.
12:29 – 12:44 Strategic Partner - Mitie Group
Speaker and content details coming soon.
12:49 – 12:59 Jake Kelly, Managing Director, North West and Central Region, Network Rail
12:59 – 14:13 Lunch / Networking / Exhibition
Grab your lunch, talk to the speakers about how you can help with their challenges and network with new customers.
14:15 – 14:25 Keynote - Simon Elliot - Network Director Rail - Transport for Greater Manchester
14:27 – 14:52 Thought Leadership - Performance and reliability: fixing the North’s most congested and fragile corridors
This session addresses the critical engineering and strategic interventions needed to fix the North’s most congested and fragile rail corridors. Industry experts will delve into targeted infrastructure upgrades, bottleneck relief strategies, and asset resilience programs designed to eliminate systemic delays. The discussion will highlight how predictive maintenance and robust infrastructure design can protect vulnerable routes against extreme weather and high-frequency wear. Participants will learn how funding allocation, route modernisation, and cross-regional collaboration are being leveraged to restore passenger trust and deliver a resilient, high-performing northern network.
14:54 – 15:04 Keynote - Rick Lawrence, Partnerships Director, Platform4
15:06 – 15:31 Thought Leadership - Digital railway in the North: signalling, traffic management, and data‑driven operations
This session explores how advanced signalling, integrated traffic management, and data-driven operations are revolutionising rail infrastructure across the North of England. Industry leaders will discuss the deployment of Next-Generation signalling technologies and European Train Control Systems (ETCS) to boost capacity and reduce delays. Panelists will examine how real-time data analytics and automated traffic management systems optimise fleet scheduling, predict maintenance needs, and improve passenger journeys. Attendees will gain critical insights into the collaborative frameworks and digital innovations required to deliver a highly reliable, safe, and modern northern rail network.
15:36 – 16:21 Post Conference Drinks Reception
Join us for post-conference drinks — a great opportunity to connect with speakers and fellow delegates.
18:00 - 19:15 Networking Drinks Reception
Continue the conversation over drinks at the evening networking reception.
19:40 – 00:15 Dinner, After Party & Networking
Round off the day with dinner, the after party, and more networking into the evening.
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Some kind words from atteNdees of past events.
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