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Q: Why has Advanced Engineering chosen to spotlight rail for 2025?
A: Rail is at a pivotal moment. As the sector faces rising pressures – from climate resilience and decarbonisation to ageing infrastructure and digital transformation – it’s clear that the future of rail depends on fresh thinking.
Advanced Engineering is positioned to support that shift. By bringing together innovation from aerospace, automotive, energy and more, the show provides a space where the rail industry can discover new materials, smarter systems and proven technologies that can be adapted to meet its own challenges.
Q: What can visitors expect from the rail presence at future shows?
A: Advanced Engineering will continue to show how the rail industry is breaking out of silos and embracing cross-sector innovation. Visitors can expect a focus on emerging technologies, from composites and lightweight materials to AI, intelligent monitoring and climate-adaptive design, all aimed at building a safer, more efficient and sustainable rail network.
There’ll also be growing attention on the need to rethink long-standing standards that can slow innovation. As the sector looks to adopt solutions already proven in aerospace, automotive and energy, the conversation is shifting from “can we?” to “how soon?”
Q: How is the rail industry collaborating with other sectors at the show?
A: Today’s rail operators and suppliers are working closely with composites manufacturers to reduce carriage weight, consulting with aerospace engineers on systems design and looking to the energy sector for hydrogen storage and transport solutions.
For instance, rail engineers also collaborate daily with civil, electrical and mechanical engineers to ensure the smooth, safe and sustainable operation of railway systems. The rail content at the show has very much been designed with these overlaps in mind – to help spark collaboration and get all these people in one room together for meaningful communication.
Q: Hydrogen is a hot topic. How is it relevant to rail at the show?
A: At this year’s show, you’ll find exhibitors and speakers tackling these issues from a rail perspective, covering everything from modular storage and pressure vessels to safety standards and system integration. It’s a great chance to see how hydrogen tech developed for automotive and aerospace is now being adapted for rail, helping to drive the sector towards a cleaner future.
Q: Any final thoughts for rail professionals considering attending?
A: Absolutely – if you work in rail or want to get into the sector, you can’t miss this year’s event. Whether you’re an engineer, buyer, policymaker or innovator, Advanced Engineering 2025 is a chance to step outside your usual silo and connect with adjacent sectors doing incredible things in materials, systems and sustainability.
We’re putting rail front and centre – not just the big-picture challenges like decarbonisation and modernising infrastructure, but also the real technical advances driving progress. Think high-speed rolling stock, smarter signalling, predictive maintenance using AI and breakthroughs in power and propulsion. You’ll leave with practical insights and new contacts to keep momentum going.
Learn more about Advanced Engineering, taking place from 29-30 October at NEC Birmingham.
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.