Rail industry exhibition in Birmingham hailed a success

The rail industry united in Birmingham for a three-day event to showcase the full potential of the market.

Railtex, the International Exhibition of Railway Equipment, Systems and Services, attracted over 2,600 trade visitors to Birmingham to discover the latest innovations, products, and services from all areas of railway technology. This is a 17% increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous event last year.

There were 160 exhibitors from 19 countries representing the complete spectrum of the railway industry, from railway civil engineering to rolling stock manufacturing, plant machinery, monitoring and testing systems, safety, and security systems, signalling and communications, track and infrastructure, passenger technology and many other products and services. 

“It was a very good and valuable three-day event filled with innovative product showcases, learning opportunities and plenty of business conversations,” said Nicola Hamann, managing director, on behalf of RX.  

"We would like to thank all our partners, exhibitors and visitors who helped make this show possible. We are delighted to see such a positive turnout of the show.Both exhibitors and visitors were highly satisfied, as they either reconnected with existing contacts or established new business relations.” 

Key topics included decarbonisation, international growth, innovation, and sustainability.

“Another rich supporting programme, organised by our main show partner, the Railway Industry Association (RIA), reflected the key challenges and opportunities that the UK rail industry will face in the years to come. In addition to the great speaker line-up, it was also such a pleasure to welcome Dame Nia Griffith, the shadow minister for exports, and Iain Stewart, chair of the Transport Select Committee at Railtex,” added Hamann.

RIA’s Innovation Village welcomed a different railway client each day, and Innovation Village’s mayors included High-Speed Two (HS2), Transport for Wales and Train Operating Companies (TOC) Innovation Community. 

Railtex 2025 will take place 13-15 May 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham.