At the start of this year the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum, which represents over 100 rail related businesses in the East Midlands decided that we would celebrate 175 years since the railway arrived in Derby. Take up and support for this has been overwhelming with Network Rail, East Midlands Trains, Interfleet, Porterbrook, Dellner, RVEL and a host of other companies backing the initiative and adopting the Derby 175 programme and logo.
However, there was a collective holding of breath in our City when it became apparent that the decision on the Crossrail fleet award would be announced on the 6th of February. The rest, as they say, is history and with this significant contract award going to Bombardier it looks as if rolling stock manufacturing is set to continue in Derby for some years to come yet!
Of course Derby175 isn’t just about train building – it also focuses on Derby and the East Midlands as a global centre of railway finance, operating and engineering expertise. Our programme over the year looks to the future, as well as a preconference dinner and conference in April (with speakers including the Secretary of State) there are also several events targeted at young people to encourage them to consider a career in the railway
industry.
Our programme, which is constantly being updated, can be found at www.derby175.co.uk, and if anyone would like to discuss how they can get involved please feel free to drop an email to: rupert@railpr.com
